The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Development Planning in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Belinda Echeozonjoku, conducted an oversight tour at two Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) projects that form part of the Orange Farm multi-disciplinary turnkey projects.
The City of Johannesburg budget for 2021/22 allocated R625 million for Orange Farm and surrounding areas to upgrade parks and public spaces, increase streetlights, widen roads and to finish construction of the Drieziek Multipurpose Centre.
Orange Farm is in the south of the City of Johannesburg, about 38km from the Johannesburg CBD and has experienced rapid growth in its population. The City of Johannesburg has identified the Greater Orange Farm region as an area requiring specific short, medium, long-term development programmes and strategies based on a clearly articulated vision for a better future for this area.
The MMC’s oversight tour kick-started in Lakeside, Orange Farm, where 2.5km of roads are being upgraded from gravel to tar in wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 131. This includes the re-gravelling of access roads, installation of stormwater infrastructure, public environment upgrades and streetlights.
Some of the SMMEs involved in the various scope of works in these wards include KMSD Engineers, Iyer Urban Studio, Mametlelelo Investments, Chrisen Consult, Tshidi Gudluza & Associates and Oarona Consultants.
“I am pleased to see completed roads in some wards. There are some issues with SMMEs that and can easily be solved if the ward councillors and the community get involved,” said MMC Echeozonjoku.
The second stop was to check on the progress of the Drieziek Multipurpose Centre, which has a hall and library. Once completed, the double-storey Drieziek Multipurpose Centre will include sports facilities such as a gymnasium, pool, a library, hall, and offices, together with outdoor soccer fields. It will cater for different sporting codes such as soccer, cricket, athletics, swimming, aerobics and more. The sporting codes will contribute to empowering the youth and sports enthusiasts to participate in sport and promote healthy living in the community.
The facility is implemented on behalf of the City of Johannesburg’s Department of Community Development.
“The Drieziek Multipurpose Centre is another remarkable project implemented by the JDA. I am pleased to see the progress so far. My oversight visits to these projects is to ensure that our residents are getting the infrastructure they deserve. The JDA has already completed the gym, swimming pool, and pavilion. The project is within the time frame and so far within budget. There have been very few issues with this project,” Cllr Echeozonjoku said.
04/03/2022