21 August 2007
North West MEC for Developmental Local Government and Housing, Howard Yawa
has today assured the North West Provincial Legislature that the North West
province will meet the target date of 31 December 2007 for the eradication of
bucket sanitation backlog in pre-1994 established formal settlements.
In responding to a question for oral reply, MEC Yawa indicated that
government has budgeted R286 million towards the Bucket Eradication Programme
across municipalities in the province. MEC Yawa reported that his department
has allocated R70 million in the current financial year as grant funding to
assist municipalities in repaying the R100 million loan funding obtained from
the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to expedite service delivery.
The Department had allocated R30 million in the 2006/07 financial year.
According to Yawa, National Treasury has allocated R85 million as Municipal
Infrastructure Grant (MIG) to the City of Matlosana for the eradication of the
remaining 14 402 bucket toilets in the area of its jurisdiction. Bophirima
District Municipality was also allocated R26,55 million for eradication of the
4 208 bucket toilets of which 600 fall in the pre-1994 category.
"Maquassi Hills Local Municipality has spend R22,6 million and completed the
eradication of 4 157 Bucket toilets in Tswelelang, Lebaleng, Leeudoringstadt
and Wolmaranstadt Townships .We commend the municipality for contributing 50,7
percent towards the current 8 199 provincial milestone. Progress at the City of
Matlosana is encouraging because service providers have been appointed and
contractors are on site." said MEC Yawa.
"The department will continue to assist and support municipalities to
provide basic sanitation services, improve household living conditions,
alleviate poverty, and improve healthiness in the beneficiary communities by
the target date of 31 December 2007," says MEC Yawa
Meanwhile, the Department of Developmental Local Government and Housing has
allocated R55 million to Maquassi Local Municipality for the implementation of
the upgrading to bulk water supply pipeline in the municipality to augment the
existing bulk water supply to cater for new connections.
Thus far 6 400 job opportunities have been created through the
implementation of eleven sanitation projects that also supported 35 small,
medium and micro enterprises.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 018 387 3814
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department for Local Government and Housing, North West
Provincial Government
21 August 2007
