Water Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane has pledged to send a team of experts to the Sunshine Coast to try help solve ongoing water and sanitation issues.Mokonyane met for hours with top local ANC leaders and Ndlambe municipal officials on Saturday in Kenton-on-Sea, where she was briefed on the water challenges, before attending an election rally in nearby Marselle township.
Ministerial spokesman Mlimandlela Ndamase yesterday confirmed topics raised in the meeting included connecting sewer systems at the East and West Bank areas of Port Alfred, upgrading the Bathurst water treatment plant and finalising the pipeline from the Sandile Dam to Ndlambe.
“The minister has confirmed that she will deploy a team to assist the municipality with reprioritising its budgets to cater for the infrastructure work necessary,” Ndamase said.
Officials were warned money would only be made available if they proved it was being spent properly.
Ndamase said: “The national department will not avail funding for the projects in question unless the municipality has provided evidence that it is spending the current available budget efficiently and on the priority areas.
“With our Back-2-Basics approach, we no longer throw money at problems.
“We avail resources accompanied by our own skilled engineers and project managers to ensure the money deployed is used effectively for the benefit of citizens.”
News of the lifeline was greeted with enthusiasm by more than 350 ANC supporters later on Saturday at an election rally in Marselle township.
Fiery protests over long-term water, sanitation and other service delivery grievances in the Kenton-on-Sea area saw township residents blocking the busy R72 with burning tyres and rocks.
The Marselle rally on Saturday was attended by ANC leaders from the Sarah Baartman district municipality, Makana and Ndlambe municipalities, as well as the ANC’s tripartite alliance partners.
During a lengthy and enthusiastic address, Mokonyane reminded supporters that non-racialism and unity was the bedrock of the party. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Minister takes on Ndlambe services issues
Mokonyane met for hours with top local ANC leaders and Ndlambe municipal officials on Saturday in Kenton-on-Sea, where she was briefed on the water challenges, before attending an election rally in nearby Marselle township.
Ministerial spokesman Mlimandlela Ndamase yesterday confirmed topics raised in the meeting included connecting sewer systems at the East and West Bank areas of Port Alfred, upgrading the Bathurst water treatment plant and finalising the pipeline from the Sandile Dam to Ndlambe.
“The minister has confirmed that she will deploy a team to assist the municipality with reprioritising its budgets to cater for the infrastructure work necessary,” Ndamase said.
Officials were warned money would only be made available if they proved it was being spent properly.
Ndamase said: “The national department will not avail funding for the projects in question unless the municipality has provided evidence that it is spending the current available budget efficiently and on the priority areas.
“With our Back-2-Basics approach, we no longer throw money at problems.
“We avail resources accompanied by our own skilled engineers and project managers to ensure the money deployed is used effectively for the benefit of citizens.”
News of the lifeline was greeted with enthusiasm by more than 350 ANC supporters later on Saturday at an election rally in Marselle township.
Fiery protests over long-term water, sanitation and other service delivery grievances in the Kenton-on-Sea area saw township residents blocking the busy R72 with burning tyres and rocks.
The Marselle rally on Saturday was attended by ANC leaders from the Sarah Baartman district municipality, Makana and Ndlambe municipalities, as well as the ANC’s tripartite alliance partners.
During a lengthy and enthusiastic address, Mokonyane reminded supporters that non-racialism and unity was the bedrock of the party. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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