City priorities are highlighted
By Tabisa Mntengwana
26 February 2009
HOUSING, electricity and road construction were the main points of discussion at an internal Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Budget Review workshop for City councillors, directors and managers.
The meeting, held at the Osner Hotel in Quigney on 25 February, began with the portfolio head for the IDP and budget, Sindiswa Gomba, welcoming participants. “During the next nine months towards the start of the financial year, the City will look at budget allocations to each department,” she said.
She was followed on the podium by Ncumisa Sidukwana, the IDP and budget general manager, who spoke about the 2010/11 IDP, budget and performance management system. “Today we are discussing priority issues concerning the municipality and we will look at the progress we have made so far.”
Community concerns, which included housing, electricity and water supply in all areas of Buffalo City were discussed. “Through the cluster meetings we have, as a municipality, learned which areas need priority.”
These speeches were followed by a series of presentations on the metro status readiness overview and draft cluster objectives, strategies, indicators and proposed projects.
Speaking about Buffalo City’s metro readiness status, the acting municipal manager, Vusumuzi Mavuso, said: “Buffalo City should start considering the need to co-ordinate municipal, provincial and national programmes and services, including the needs for administration of justice and health care.”
It should have key considerations in determining a municipal boundary including the existing and expected land use, social, economic and transport planning, he said.
“The other key consideration in determining a municipal boundary includes the financial viability and administrative capacity of the municipality to perform municipal functions effectively and efficiently.”
The cluster presentation included the infrastructure and spatial, social and environment, economic development, and institutional and finance clusters.
Engineering director Nceba Ncunyana spoke about the infrastructural and spatial cluster, focusing on its objectives, strategies and plans. These included upgrading roads and storm water systems, provision of basic sanitation services, provision of formal housing units, and the implementation of the Integrated Transport Plan.
On the cluster’s plans for 2010/11, he said: “There is a need for RDP housing for the unemployed youth, old people and the disabled and the City is set to make plans to provide for these communities.”
There was also a need for bulk electricity for low cost housing in Duncan Village. “The City will also make plans to install street lights, high-mast lighting and upgrade switch houses and substations.”
He was followed by the acting director for community services, Yoliswa Sinyanya, who represented the social and environment cluster. Its objectives and strategies included the improvement of waste collection, reduction of the number of illegal dumpsites, developing a climate change strategy and the improvement of health care facilities.
“The City plans to improve various aspects of its social cluster, which include the construction of a community hall in Scenery Park, maintenance of sports field in Buffalo City, the clearing of fields and the upgrading of cemeteries.”
Nonceba Mbali-Majeng, the director of planning, made a presentation on the economic development cluster, saying its objectives and strategies included the development and promotion of tourism; the development of small, medium and micro enterprises; facilitating sustainable growth; and the development of urban and rural agriculture.
Proposed projects for the 2010/11 financial year were also discussed. “The City is set to create sustainable agricultural projects, improve [its] image as a tourist destination and improve job creation.”
The final presentation was done by the director of corporate services, Amanda Magwentshu, who represented the institutional and finance cluster. The cluster’s objectives and strategies included effective and efficient financial management and the increased revenue, which enabled Buffalo City to deliver on its mandate.
It was only a supporting cluster, she pointed out. “This cluster supports all the departments and the institutions in their plans to improve service delivery.”
Following the workshop with its councillors, directors and managers, the City will meet external stakeholders on Thursday, 4 March at the East London City Hall to discuss with them the IDP and budget.
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