Allocations for water, sanitation and electricity in rural municipalities have been increased substantially by R4.3 billion over the next three years to build capacity and strengthen systems for financial management and infrastructure delivery.
KZN COGTA MEC, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has enthusiastically in infrastructure budget allocations for municipalities and the fact that a significant share will go to KwaZulu-Natal.
“As KZN COGTA we have long called for increased allocations for basic services in our local municipalities which, despite major advancements in recent past, continue to experience infrastructure backlogs compared,” said Dube-Ncube.
“We are similarly excited about the planned review of local government infrastructure grants, which will lead to consolidation of this crucial funding for development in the previously disadvantaged parts of our province. We have long submitted to national treasury argument about the need to review the equitable share allocations to consider costs of implementing projects based on the topography we have in KwaZulu-Natal,” said Dube-Ncube.
The review of local government infrastructure grants will give special attention to the maintenance of infrastructure, so that the gains made over the past 20 years can be extended and enjoyed by all over the life of these assets.
“Repairs and maintenance of municipal infrastructure remains one of our key priorities as we urge municipalities to go back to basics as part of the Back to Basics programme which we have just launched in the province,” said Dube-Ncube.
Enquiries:
Lennox Mabaso, KZN COGTA Spokesperson
Cell: 082 884 2403
Msawakhe Mayisela
Cell: 060 966 4220
