Municipalities to prioritise water and sanitation projects
The Department of Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima, in dealing with the water challenges in the province, is working closely with all municipalities in prioritise water and sanitation projects in line with Premier Supra Mahumapelo’s pronouncement during the 2017/18 State of the Province Address.
The move is in line with the Premier Mahumapelo’s pronouncement early this year that ‘ MIG grants in all municipalities in the Province be utilised to prioritise water and sanitation in the Province. This enjoys support of our National Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs Department and hopefully’’.
Consultation is ongoing between the department and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to assist municipalities to prioritise their water and sanitation infrastructure projects and to devise means of dealing with financial challenges thereof. In 2014, Premier Mahumapelo signed a Memorandum of Understanding on infrastructure development with DBSA.
The department is also working with the Department of Water and Sanitation to develop a provincial plan for municipalities to be granted water services authority status. A Water Service Authority, defined as any municipality responsible for ensuring access to water service in the Act, may perform the functions of a Water Service Provider, and may also form a joint venture with another water services institution to provide water services.
DBSA is a development financial institution which provides financing, project preparation and implementation support in South African as well as the rest of the African continent with the intention of improving the quality of life of people in support of economic and regional integration.
Enquiries:
Ben Bole
Cell: 071 566 1399
E-mail: msbole@nwpg.gov.za
