By Tabisa Mntengwana
08 June 2009

HOUSING remains the City’s main priority, grabbing the lion’s share of its budget.

“Housing remains a priority delivery area for the municipality, with the target of developing at least 5 000 units in the coming financial year,” said Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku.

The Buffalo City council adopted the 2009/2010 financial year budget at a special council meeting on Thursday, 4 June.

Faku said there was a possibility to increase the number of houses to be built, if and when more funds became available. The municipality tabled an operating budget of R2,9-billion and a capital budget of R1-billion.

The mayor said this money was earmarked to address developmental backlogs; to respond to new and pressing challenges confronting the municipality and the people of Buffalo City; to fast track development; to finance essential goods and services; to provide and upgrade existing infrastructure; and generally to ensure that the frustrations and aspirations of the people of Buffalo City were addressed “to the best of our ability”.

The biggest chunk of the budget goes to housing, with the provincial department of human settlements pitching in with R22-million for the Second Creek housing development. “This project is aimed at addressing the much-publicised plight of the approximately 300 families in the area,” Faku said.

In addition, R20-million was committed to the development of 320 units under the auspices of the Duncan Village Redevelopment Initiative, with R8-million set aside to provide 850 housing units in Manyano and Thembelihle, and R18-million for 1 500 units in Mdantsane.

The Westbank Restitution Project would continue, with 2 221 units and a budget of R9,2million; R538 000 was earmarked for 140 units in the Haven Hills South Pilot Housing Project.

During her budget presentation, the mayor mentioned that the City had resolved the issues surrounding the bulk infrastructure for the buffer strip in Mdantsane. The municipality was ready to put up 850 units.

“We have also provided R1-million for sanitation in the area.”

To improve the low capacity of water treatment works, R40-million was allocated from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant to upgrade Zwelitsha bulk infrastructure and to unlock housing delivery in the area.

Faku also announce that R240-million had been set aside to address sanitation and water treatment works backlogs throughout the municipal area over the next three financial years, including R17-million that had been identified for rural sanitation in the inland region.

In addition, R85-million had been earmarked for fresh water-related projects while R40-million went to bulk water supply in the coastal areas and R3,3-million was injected into the ongoing Amahleke Water Scheme.

One of the main concerns that came up during the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) public hearings was roads, and the City set aside R120-million for the upgrading and rehabilitation of roads and stormwater management. “It is my hope that this money will go a long way in responding to the needs of our people,” said Faku.

Over the next three years, R372-million would be spent on upgrading electricity reticulation infrastructure and installing new lighting across the municipality, including street lights and high mast lighting.

“Of this amount, R80-million will be spent in the coming financial year to address backlogs in the provision of electricity to several deserving residential areas,” she said.

Development in rural areas was not left out of the budget, with R8,3-million allocated for the establishment and upgrading of sports fields in places such as Nxarhuni and Nkqonkqweni. Another R5,6-million would be used for growing tourism in rural areas.

“A further R14-million is dedicated to the development, upgrading and refurbishing of community halls,” said Faku.

Turning to health, she said: “We have not abandoned our fight against HIV/Aids and, with the assistance of our overseas development co-operation partners, the City has managed to provide R840 567 towards this cause.”

And R2,8-million would be made available for the upgrading of primary and environmental health services and facilities.

Another R4-million was allocated for the rehabilitation of illegal landfill sites while R1-million was set aside for the establishment of recycling drop-off points. “It is my fervent hope that these latter measures will help to eradicate the culture of illegal dumping,” she said.

In conclusion, the mayor pointed out that much had been provided for in the City’s budget. “At the same time, I feel it necessary for me to mention these few cases to demonstrate to our communities that we are indeed responsive to their needs and their right to a decent lifestyle.”