IDP MEETINGS START

City kicks off IDP meetings

By Tabisa Mntengwana
May 12, 2009

PUBLIC hearings on Buffalo City’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) kicked off at Scenery Park and Mdantsane over the weekend.

Sithembiso Tyilo, the portfolio head of engineering, lead the Scenery Park meeting, which was held at Living Waters Church on Friday, 8 May; the portfolio head of executive support services, Sakhumzi Caga, spoke at the meeting at NU10 Community Hall in Mdantsane the next day.

At this meeting, Caga highlighted the developments and challenges the City had encountered during the last financial year, 2008/2009.

He also spoke about six IDP objectives, including the development of intergovernmental relations. This looked at community participation, financial viability of the City, creating jobs, healthy housing, environment, and a safe and integrated city.

Speaking about the City’s strategic focus areas, he listed them as roads, electricity, water, improving its revenue base, stimulating local economic development, supporting its staff through training and staff retention, and improving communication internally and externally.

More than 300 residents from wards 20, 17, 22 and 18 filled the hall in NU10; they spoke of concerns that transport to the meeting had not been provided.

Other issues raised by the Mdantsane residents included poor municipal customer care, installing new meter boxes for residents, omission of squatter camps on the database for consideration for houses, and maintenance of access roads.

Speaking after the hearing, Caga said the City had achieved so much over the years, but there was still more work to be done. “The IDP sessions were successful and we have highlighted what the communities are in need of.”

He also said the municipality would closely look into housing and road maintenance projects. “These are the main challenges in the area, especially looking into the eradication of informal settlements.”

The next IDP public hearings are: Nxaruni, St Mary Community Hall on Wednesday, 13 May at 3pm; Sandisiwe High School on Thursday, 14 May at 5pm; Potsdam Community Hall on Thursday, 14 May at 3pm; Parkside Hall on Thursday, 14 May at 5pm; Mzamomhle Community Hall on Friday, 15 May at 5pm; and Berlin Hall on Monday, 18 May at 5pm.