Multi-Billion Relief for Eden Municipalities
The Western Cape Government opened its purse to keep municipal financial systems within the Eden District on track.
MEC Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape minister of finance, visited the Eden local municipalities on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 July to personally have a look into their financial status, as well as the progress of infrastructure programmes and service delivery.
At an Eden District meeting with high profile municipal officials, directors and councillors from all seven the Eden municipalities, Meyer announced that the Western Cape Government allocated R4-billion in their 2017/2018 budget to create jobs and enhance growth within Eden, and launch projects for upliftment such as youth development. A further R1-billion was allocated for infrastructure projects.
The R4-billion allocation is allocated as follows:
Knysna: R469-million (9.4%)
Bitou: R220-million (4.4%)
Oudtshoorn: R820-million (16.4%)
Kannaland: R151-million (3%)
Hessequa: R356-million (7.1%)
Mossel Bay: R575-million (11.5%)
George: R1,7-billion (34.1%)
The R1-billion infrastructure allocation is allocated as follows:
Knysna: R108.6-million
Bitou: R42.4-million
Oudtshoorn: R180.5-million
Kannaland: R6.7-million
Hessequa: R122.2-million
Mossel Bay: R124.8-million
George: R228.2-million
Eden District Municipality: R198-million.
At the Eden meeting in George, Meyer said: “When deciding on the allocation to the Eden region, I was mindful that many people are struggling. Nothing is therefore more important than growing the economy, creating jobs. This allocation will support growth and job creation.”
The empty Gamkoopoort dam near Ladismith, when visited by Dr Ivan Meyer.
According to Meyer, the R4-billion allocation focuses on supporting the five strategic objectives of the Western Cape Government. He highlighted these objectives:
- To create opportunities for growth and jobs;
- To focus on improving educational outcomes and create opportunities for youth development;
- To increase wellness and safety and tackle social ills like drug abuse and crime;
- To enable a resilient and sustainable, quality and inclusive living environment. Integrated human settlements and investment in bulk infrastructure and roads therefore receive attention in this budget;
- The Western Cape Budget also funds programmes and projects to embed and improve good corporate governance in the Western Cape. Good governance must bring better services to our communities and create public value.
“People in the Western Cape will see the impact of this government’s investment in infrastructure and our commitment to enhance services in health, education, and social development to the most vulnerable,” said Meyer.
Municipal infrastructure spend (see chart) which totals R1-billion in the 2017/2018 financial year in the Eden Region is:
Education R106-million; health R42-million; public works R46-million; roads R574-million and human settlements R265-million.
Commenting on Kannaland Municipality and the progress of the implementation of a financial recovery plan adopted by council earlier this year, Meyer noted that the municipality’s financial position remains a grave concern. “When the provincial cabinet took a decision on 7 December 2016 to formally intervene in Kannaland, it was done because we believed that it was in the best interests of improved service delivery in the municipality.
The recent appointment of Rayland Stevens as municipal manager and Bennie Strydom as chief financial officer was welcomed and viewed as an important step towards the long process of turning around the recent woes of the municipality.”
The leadership was encouraged to focus on implementing the key elements of the financial recovery plan.
“We remain committed to supporting municipalities, and the delivery of quality services to the citizens of the Western Cape. In the case of Kannaland it is important that the recently appointed municipal leadership is supported by council, staff and community. The best way to do so is to fully support the implementation of the financial recovery plan and to encourage everyone to pay for the services provided by the municipality.”
Meyer also did site visits to the local dam and boreholes in the municipality.
Daniel Johnson, spokesperson for Meyer, said on Monday 24 July, “The minister said he will do follow-up visits to all the municipalities to see how the money is spent. They can be assured that it will be monitored.”
Johnson warned that the minister will take back the money if it’s not used according to the rules and specifications.
Source: Knysna Plett Herald News