City departments and entities have been urged to exercise fiscal prudence when spending monies allocated to fast-tracking service delivery in the next financial year.
The portfolio head of Finance, Cllr Jolidee Matongo says a lion’s share of the City’s capital expenditure budget will be invested in accelerating service delivery across previously marginalised communities of Johannesburg.
MMC Matongo notes that Joburg’s 2021/22 budget contains strategic allocations aimed at reviving the local economy through major infrastructure turnkey projects and the reintroduction of co-production of municipal services in partnership with residents.
Council recently adopted a 2021/22 fiscus of approximately R73.3 billion, despite having kept annual tariff increases at minimal rates. The people-centred budget is designed to rebuild and transform the City into a financially resilient municipality, able to thrive amidst the ongoing economic devastation wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The 2021/22 budget seeks to improve the welfare of the most vulnerable members of the City through poverty alleviation programmes, so we can respond to the pandemic of gender-based violence and femicide, as well as drug abuse,” says the Finance MMC.
The budget’s operational expenditure is set at R65.1-billion, with a capital expenditure of R8.2-billion. A three-year capital budget of R25.5-billion is tailored to increase the focus on priority infrastructure turnkey projects in underprivileged neighbourhoods such as Orange Farm, Ivory Park, and Kliptown.
Orange Farm and surrounding areas have been allocated R625-million for a multi-disciplinary turnkey project, while other plans in the area continue over the medium term. This includes R140-million for the conversion of open stormwater drains, R215-million towards tarring gravel roads, R49-million for the construction of a public transport facility, R536-million for water demand management, R148-million for the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco) to build social housing, and R1.5-million for a shelter to deal with gender-based violence and femicide.
About R340-million has been earmarked to build new bulk infrastructure in Kliptown and to revive the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication. Another R212-million has been assigned for Joshco’s social housing turnkey projects in the area. Cllr Matongo says Kliptown is an area of great significance in the City and its development is an urgent priority to promote the economic potential of the area through tourism and small business support.
Ivory Park in the north has been allocated R331-million for a multi-disciplinary turnkey project over the medium term. An additional investment of R203-million will also be made following the recent approval of the 2021/22 budget for social housing projects.
About R18-million will be diverted towards completing the community swimming pool currently under construction and another R30-million towards the Ivory Park Development Catalytic Node infrastructure project.
Written by Gontse ‘Gee’ Hlophe