P Uys on Worcester economy and development

27 March 2009

Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Minister in
the Western Cape, Pierre Uys announced a R49 million contribution to the
upgrade of the Waste Water Treatment Works in the Breede Valley during a visit
on Friday. Uys visited the Worcester Water Treatment Works together with the
executive mayor of Breede Valley, Councillor Charles Ntsomi, to make the
announcement. Uys said that as with other local authorities throughout the
province, government allocated funds from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant
(MIG) to support the Breede Valley municipality’s capital budget with various
infrastructure projects.

A total of R520 million has been allocated to the Western Cape for MIG
projects this year.

“Our 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 municipalities’ Integrated
Development Plan (IDP). 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 people,” said Minister Uys.

The Worcester Wastewater Treatment Works treats predominantly domestic
sewage from the town of Worcester and some industrial effluent. The system is
currently overloaded and in urgent need of additional capacity. As an interim
measure the anaerobic up flow sludge lagoons have recently been refurbished and
the old equipment upgraded.

These works, once commissioned, will provide sufficient capacity to 81 719
people and 21 698 households. Uys said that it would also have a positive
effect on the environment including an improvement in the water quality of the
Breede River as well as the cleaning of existing soil pollution and reduction
in malodors.

Minister Uys commented 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. “This 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.”

Mayor Ntsomi hailed the project. “It means a great deal to our people and
our town’s growth and development. We thank the provincial and national
government for their support to boost our economy and development in this
town.”

About Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG):

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 prioritising 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
government’s 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.

Enquiries:
Minister Uys
Cell: 082 455 5144

Cobus Grobler
Media officer
Cell: 073 133 7299

Issued by: Department of Local Government, Western Cape Provincial
Government
27 March 2009