Emfuleni Local Municipality recently hosted the IDP and Budget Public Participation meeting with the community at Palm Springs Hall, Sebokeng. The residents packed the tiny venue to hear their elected leaders outline plans and budget and noted down their suggestions.
The purpose of the meeting was to present to the community the projects earmarked for 2011/12 financial year and getting inputs from the community that will ultimately influence the development of the IDP for 2012/16. The current IDP was approved by the council in April 2011 and the implementation commenced in July 2011 and it is continuing.
So far more than 200 projects estimated to be around R 350-million have been identified and are funded through the MIG (Municipality Infrastructure Grant) and the municipality only contributed to electricity related projects.
Among concerns raised by the community were lack of schools and primary health facilities in their respective wards, escalating electricity and water bills, sewerage blockage, unsafe roads, a need for a closer police station and corrupt police and traffic officials.
Osizweni Clinic was singled out as being too small to accommodate patients whom at times are found wanting outdoor and staff who apparently have no good working relationship with the community. A library was developed and hasn't operated since though it has been completed. Newly-born babies, brick and blankets are said to be some of the things resulting in sewerage as they block drains.
''I fail to understand how my electricity bill could reach R35-thousands while I don't even own a business, it is said that the municipality paid a whooping amount of over R100-million to Eskom, would it not be better to introduce solar panel system'' pleaded one resident who suggested a bio-digester be brought to use which might prove to be a hit should it be implemented.
In response for his department MMC of Public Safety, Veli Mcera said ''We're working around the clock in bringing services closer to the people whereby police vehicles will cater for basic stuff like affidavits, certifying (of documents) and constant patrol day and night as we are about to rebrand all our department vehicles according to regions and we urge the public to report any corruption committed by these officials. The recent know your neighbour campaign will see the street committee system brought back and sector policing will be implemented. A municipal court (which will be built near the Evaton Firestation) is on the pipeline and we will be engaging with a view that stop signs be installed on the Golden Highway route which is a provincial road and is familiar with accidents.''
SMS Line (Fraud & Corruption) - 32211
UPCOMING IDP & BUDGET PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETINGS
Date: 04th October 2011
Time: 15h00
Venue: Vereeniging Banquet Hall
Date: 06th October 2011
Time: 15h00
Venue: Bophelong Community Hall
...see below for Financial Breakdown for 2011/12
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