City’s plans explained, discussed
By Tabisa Mntengwana
08 March 2010
MAINTENANCE of electricity infrastructure, upgrading of roads and stormwater drainage, and waste collection were discussed at the Integrated Development Plan and Budget External Representative Forum.
The forum, held at the East London City Hall on Thursday, 4 March, also discussed budget allocations, metro readiness and cluster objectives, strategies and proposed projects.
Welcoming guests to the meeting, Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku said: “We [the City] hope that the budget allocations presented to you today will be welcomed with warm hands and we hope your co-operation during the next financial year will bring successes.”
Speaking about the objectives of the workshop, the portfolio head for the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and budget, Sindiswa Gomba, said issues of priority included housing, electricity and water supply.
During the presentation sessions, the acting municipal manager, Nonceba Mbali-Majeng, spoke about Buffalo City’s metro status readiness. She said the 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.
“The City should also start considering the topographical, environmental and physical characteristics of the area … 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,” she said.
Following her presentation, the City’s compliance programme manager, Lawrence Valeta, spoke about its turnaround strategy. He highlighted its objectives, which include improving performance and professionalism, and strengthening partnerships between communities, civil society and the municipality.
Cluster presentations included the objectives, strategies and proposed projects of the various clusters – infrastructure and spatial, social and environment, economic development, and institutional and finance.
The director for engineering services, Nceba Ncunyana, gave an overview of the plans of the infrastructure and spatial cluster, which include the upgrading of roads and stormwater systems, provision of basic sanitation services and of formal housing units.
Of the proposed projects for 2010/11, Ncunyana 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.”
Jerome Ismail, the director of community services, said the City planned to improve various aspects of its social cluster, reduce the number of illegal dumpsites and improve waste collection.
Proposed projects for the 2010/11 year in the economic development cluster include sustainable agricultural programmes, improving the city’s image as a tourist destination and improving job creation. The presentation was made by Mbali-Majeng in her capacity as the director of planning.
The final presentation was on the institutional and finance cluster, made by the director of corporate services, Amanda Magwentshu.
Magwentshu spoke about the cluster’s objectives and strategies, including effective and efficient financial management and increased revenue, which enabled Buffalo City to deliver on its mandate.
Contact us:
