Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Pierre Uys
13 March 2009
Multi-million rand boost for the Central Karoo
The provincial government working in close co-operation with other spheres
of government, have committed more than R13,3 million to the upgrading and
building of new infrastructure in the Central Karoo this financial year. This
funding channelled through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), provides
for current projects, some nearing completion, as well as new projects that
will soon commence.
A total of R520 million has been allocated to the Western Cape for MIG
during this year.
Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Minister in
the Western Cape, Pierre Uys, visited the Central Karoo area today to highlight
some MIG projects under construction.
In making the announcement at a briefing in Prince Albert, Minister Uys,
said that government allocates funds from this conditional grant to support the
Karoo municipalitiesâ capital budgets with infrastructure projects such as the
building and upgrading of roads, storm water drains, pipe lines, waste water
works and bulk water provision.
âOur focus in allocating this funding is on providing support for
infrastructure projects that primarily benefit poor households. Included
amongst these are projects identified by the municipalitiesâ integrated
development plan. The investment made in this way has many positive spin offs
such as stimulating economic growth, job creation and ultimately in the
contribution it makes to improved service delivery and a better quality of life
for all our peopleâ, said Minister Uys.
He added that an important and often overlooked aspect of the MIG process is
the high level of intergovernmental co-operation involved in driving these
projects to their conclusion. âThis involves site visits by my department and
regular financial reports. As provincial government, we have an oversight role
and must ensure that the project complies not only with the criteria laid down
for funding but also that the money is well spent and within the period set
down.â
Minister Uys visited Prince Albert to inspect the upgrading of the waste
water treatment works. This project of R4,7 million is currently in its
implementation phase with the contractor busy with excavations, it will
influence the lives of the community as it involves the relining of the
oxidation dams directly benefiting the lives of 5 221 people and 1 199
households. MIG contributes R4,2 million to the project.
The need to upgrade and reline the oxidation dams at the waste water works
became urgent since the old dams started cracking and some water seeped into a
nearby river. The construction project is undertaken as a precautionary measure
to prevent any future percolation into the underground water.
Minister Uys also announced another project, valued at R5,9 million for
Beaufort West. A new bulk water provision supply will include: Equipping two
existing production boreholes, electricity supply, bulk water pipeline to
connect to the existing network, 1 x 1Ml reservoir, booster pump station,
chlorination plant, licensing of two production boreholes and Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) process. This project will benefit the 8 097 poor
households in that area and will impact on the lives of the community as it
will make water more readily available to the people.
Minister Uys has approved the registration of several projects amounting to
R26,7 million in the Central Karoo area as part of the Municipal Infrastructure
Grant investment over the next few years.
These include the upgrade of storm water system and roads, street lighting,
a bus route, new 250 m3 reservoir, bulk water supply, high mast lighting, storm
water retention dam and bulk water provision.
On the new lights in Beaufort West Minister Uys said these lights will help
to pacify night time crimes and people will now be able to walk freely without
feeling vulnerable to criminals.
About Municipal Infrastructure Grant:
The Municipal Infrastructure Grant is a conditional grant that supports
municipalities with their capital budget and their Integrated Development Plans
(IDP) to fund infrastructure, primarily benefiting poor households. Communities
have to be involved in the IDP process and participated in the prioritizing of
projects aimed at improving their lives. It also creates jobs with labour
intensive methods in line with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and
Governmentâs objective of reducing poverty. This include projects such as the
building and upgrading of roads, storm water drainage, pipelines, wastewater
works, bulk water provision, meters, pumps, reservoirs, fencing, lights, sport
facilities, and infrastructure for cemeteries.
Some Central Karoo projects
Murraysburg
Installation of pre-paid water meters
The above mentioned project entails the installation of pre-paid water meters
in Murraysburg to control water wastage and improve water management. This
project will benefit 894 poor households in the area. The total cost is R2,
000,000.00, which consists of R1, 759,791.00 of MIG funding and R240, 209.00
from the municipality.
Meiringstraat stormwater channel phase two
The project is to provide a stormwater channel in Meiringstraat as heavy rains
in the Karoo causes roads to be washed away and this causes huge discomfort to
the residents. This project will benefit 1 731 households in the area. The
total cost is R1, 000,000.00, which is entirely funded by MIG.
Mountainview side drainage and tarring of street phase two
R5500 000 funded by MIG for the side drainage and tarring of streets in
Mountainview, Murraysburg, benefiting 1 731 households. MIG supplies all the
funding for this project.
Fencing of stormwater channel phase one
The above mentioned project is to provide fencing of the stormwater channel in
Meiringstraat to ensure the safety of the residents. This will benefit the 1
731 households in the area. The total cost is R100 000.00, which is entirely
funded by MIG.
Beaufort West municipality
Bulk water provision
The project is to enhance the Bulk Water Supply in Beaufort West by
incorporating the following: equip two existing production boreholes,
electricity supply, bulk water pipeline to connect to the existing network, 1x
1ml reservoir, booster pump station, chlorination plant, licensing of two
production boreholes and EIA process. This will benefit the 8 097 poor
households in the area. This comprises of R4,774,310,00 from MIG funds and
R813, 690.00 from municipal funds, totalling R5,588,000,00.
Stormwater retention dam
R3 330 000 funded by MIG for the Hillside area for a stormwater retention
dam to accommodate the floods during rainstorms, benefiting 1 500 households.
Beaufort West Municipality contributes R470 000 to the project and the total
project cost is R3800 000.
Lande: High mast lighting
R660 000 funded by MIG for the upgrade of streetlights in Lande, Beaufort West,
benefiting 1 430 households. MIG supplies all the funding for this project.
Nelspoort external stormwater drainage system
This project is to formalise the stormwater by the provision of channels
from the culverts in the railway line to downstream off the existing
residential areas in Nelspoort. The 369 poor households in the area will
benefit from this project. The project cost will be R2,810,100.00, which
comprises of R1, 000,000.00 of MIG funds and R1, 810,100 from the public
sector.
Laingsburg municipality
Uitbreiding: bulk water supply
R915 000 funded by MIG for the bulk water supply in a new township extension
to serve new development of 300 erven at Uitbreiding, benefiting 300
households. Laingsburg municipality contributes R128 100 to the project and the
total project cost is R1,043,100,00.
New 250 m3 reservoir
R460 400 funded by MIG for a new 250 m3 reservoir to serve new development
of 300 erven at Uitbreiding, benefiting 300 households. Laingsburg Municipality
contributes R64 000 to the project and the total project cost is R524
400,00.
Uitbreiding: Bus route
R798 000 funded by MIG for the construction of a paved local distributor
road (bus route) to serve new development of 300 erven at Uitbreiding,
benefiting 300 households. MIG supplies all the funding for this project
Uitbreiding: Street lighting
The project entails the street lighting for a new township extension of 300
erven. This will benefit 1 200 residents living in the new township in
Laingsburg. The project cost is R604,200,00, which is R530,000,00 of MIG funds
and R74,200 from the public sector.
Uitbreiding: Sanitation rising main and pump station
This project is for the bulk effluent disposal from the new township
extension in the Uitbreiding area. This project will benefit 300 households in
the community. The total cost will be R1,100,100,00, which consists of
R965,000,00 of MIG funds and R135,100.00 from the municipality.
Upgrade of stormwater system and roads
This ongoing project addresses the upgrading of the stormwater system in
Laingsburg and some rehabilitation work. The project will benefit 1 110 poor
households. The total cost is R752,400,00, which is entirely funded by MIG.
Prince Albert municipality
Re-lining of oxidation dams at Prince Albert WWTW
R4 175 207.10 funded by MIG for the re-lining of oxidation dams at Prince
Albert Waste Water Treatment Works, benefiting 1 199 households. Prince Albert
Municipality contributes R569 346.42 to the project and the total project cost
is R4,744,553,52.
Enquiries:
Cobus Grobler
Cell: 073 133 7299
Issued by: Department of Local Government, Western Cape Provincial
Government
13 March 2009
