29 October 2007
The Mpumalanga Department of Local Government and Housing and Mbombela Local
Municipality are to expedite plans for better service delivery to rural
communities. Plans are underway to deal with infrastructural and developmental
backlogs in the municipality. These commitments were made by the department MEC
Candith Mashego-Dlamini and Municipal Executive Mayor, Justice Nsibande at the
weekend's Imbizo at Nsikazi Stadium. MEC Mashego-Dlamini and Mayor Nsibande
opened government's low cost houses and interacted with communities at
Msogwaba, Lindela and Khumbula villages during their visits.
Communities raised a number of concerns ranging from poor water supply, bad
road infrastructure, need for electricity, inadequate houses and inept ward
councillors among others. Other issues that were established are households not
benefiting from government's poverty relief grants and a need for skills
development and transfer to small contactors. MEC Mashego-Dlamini advised the
communities to visit their nearest Health and Social Services Offices to apply
for various grants by government. She also called on the business,
non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and communities in general to lend a
helping hand to poverty stricken families.
Mbombela Executive Mayor, Justice Nsibande acknowledged the challenges rose
by the communities and assured them that the municipality is prioritising these
issues. Nsibande reflected that about 2 000 households are to be electrified in
the municipality in this financial year; storm water drainage system is on the
cards and reviving the bulk water supply. He also said the Integrated
Development Plan (IDP) of the municipality is seriously looking at these and
other challenges facing the municipality. "On the already built houses the
municipality will put infrastructure in place like proper roads, drainage
system and street lights," committed Mayor Nsibande.
Enquiries:
Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931
Issued by: Department of Local Government and Housing, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government
29 October 2007
