Burning service delivery issues such as leaking taps, potholes and land invasions in Buffalo City Metro (BCM) were discussed by ward councillors when they came together for a two-day council lekgotla.
The strategy planning meeting called by executive mayor, Alfred Mtsi was held on December 15 and 16 in Port Alfred.
BCM spokesman Keith Ngesi said the session had looked at the performance of the metro as it wraps up the first half of the financial year.
The reports tabled at the meeting emanated from the mayoral lekgotla that was held in July this year.
Three clusters were summoned to report on the progress made in serving the community of BCM. It included the infrastructure and spatial development, institutional and finance as well as the socio-economic clusters.
The issue of leaking taps and informal car washers in informal settlements and potholes were raised.
The Daily Dispatch has reported on a number of leaking taps, especially in Duncan Village where it is estimated that one broken standalone tap in the area wastes at least 20 litres of drinking water a minute.
The tap had been running non-stop for more than a year. It was fixed following the publication of the article.
To tackle water waste Ngesi said the BCM council has already employed ward-based labour to fix leaks. A total of 102 informal settlements have been audited so far.
“Communities are urged to use water sparingly and report water leaks. Illegal car washers were discouraged as they contribute to wasting water.”
Ngesi said the metro planned to add 500 pothole filling volunteers to the existing 500 volunteers next year when additional funding is secured through budget adjustment.
Some of the issues discussed at the lekgotla and considered as priorities include illegal occupation of RDP houses, land distribution and land grabs.
Other plans that were tabled as strategy priorities for the new political term (2016-2021) include the signing of the R30-million memorandum of agreement with the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture to receive a full library subsidy; R50-million upgrades of community halls and R3-million for the purchase of street bins.
BCM chief whip Mzwandile Vaaiboom said the meeting was good in terms of providing councillors information on what had been achieved and what still needed to be done. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
Service delivery issues at top of BCM councillors’ agenda
The strategy planning meeting called by executive mayor, Alfred Mtsi was held on December 15 and 16 in Port Alfred.
BCM spokesman Keith Ngesi said the session had looked at the performance of the metro as it wraps up the first half of the financial year.
The reports tabled at the meeting emanated from the mayoral lekgotla that was held in July this year.
Three clusters were summoned to report on the progress made in serving the community of BCM. It included the infrastructure and spatial development, institutional and finance as well as the socio-economic clusters.
The issue of leaking taps and informal car washers in informal settlements and potholes were raised.
The Daily Dispatch has reported on a number of leaking taps, especially in Duncan Village where it is estimated that one broken standalone tap in the area wastes at least 20 litres of drinking water a minute.
The tap had been running non-stop for more than a year. It was fixed following the publication of the article.
To tackle water waste Ngesi said the BCM council has already employed ward-based labour to fix leaks. A total of 102 informal settlements have been audited so far.
“Communities are urged to use water sparingly and report water leaks. Illegal car washers were discouraged as they contribute to wasting water.”
Ngesi said the metro planned to add 500 pothole filling volunteers to the existing 500 volunteers next year when additional funding is secured through budget adjustment.
Some of the issues discussed at the lekgotla and considered as priorities include illegal occupation of RDP houses, land distribution and land grabs.
Other plans that were tabled as strategy priorities for the new political term (2016-2021) include the signing of the R30-million memorandum of agreement with the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture to receive a full library subsidy; R50-million upgrades of community halls and R3-million for the purchase of street bins.
BCM chief whip Mzwandile Vaaiboom said the meeting was good in terms of providing councillors information on what had been achieved and what still needed to be done. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
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