City, partners look at service delivery
By Tabisa Mntengwana
2 October 2009
SERVICE delivery issues were discussed at an External Representative Forum, hosted by the integrated development plan, budget and policy department, at the East London City Hall.
Attending the forum were external representatives and stakeholders, ranging from representatives of the East London Industrial Development Zone, Afesis Corplan, Eastern Cape Non-Governmental Organisation Coalition and Buffalo City Agriculture Action Forum, to universities, other government departments and parastatals.
It kicked off at 9.30am on Wednesday 30 September, and the agenda included fixing the sewerage system, upgrading the electricity infrastructure, pedestrian safety, ways of attracting investors and preparations for the up-coming football World Cup in 2010. Also discussed were law enforcement at pubs and drinking spots, the management of rivers and energy efficiency developments.
Welcoming guests, Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku said: "This session is set to get City officials together with stakeholders to go through the IDP [Integrated Development Plan] with a fine-tooth comb and to ensure that nothing that concerns service delivery is left to chance."
Sindiswa Gomba, the IDP, budget and policy portfolio head, gave an overview of the purpose of the day: "This forum is set to give external representatives a chance to share and raise their ideas, views and opinions with City officials and councillors."
It would also monitor the City's plans and performance.
Faku added that it was "the last step in a series of phrases to develop and to finalise our IDP for this financial year, and to ensure that we will be able to meet the expectations of our people".
Earlier in the year the City held IDP hearings at which communities were able to voice their views and needs regarding the budget.
"Today we look at the development clusters and see if the IDP addresses their needs and projected development programmes for the current financial year," said Faku.
She urged City officials to put the interests of the municipality and its residents first and to focus on quality and sustainable service delivery.
The IDP, budget and policy manager, Simphiwe Seti, assured stakeholders that the City was doing its best to deal with sewerage spills into rivers. "There were problems with the system but now we have new infrastructure that is used to alleviate the problem."
Sy Gourrah, the City's chief electrical engineer, added that developments were taking place to improve bulk electricity and overcome energy efficiency problems.
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