The City of Johannesburg has asked residents to guide the metro with regards to the capital projects they want to see in their communities.
Speaker of Council Cllr Vasco da Gama say only communities know best what infrastructure and services they need in their areas.
“We are asking residents to give inputs into the projects they want within their wards, whether there be shortage of a clinic, roads, sports field, a tennis court or a swimming pool for that matter. They should narrow their needs down to at least three per ward,” says Cllr Da Gama.
According to the Speaker, the City has over the years experienced rapid population growth, which in turn has seen an increase of wards. Johannesburg has a total of about 135 wards.
“The City will then compile all the lists of projects coming out of all the wards throughout the City, and look at what are the priority projects that can be implemented based on the needs of each community.”
He says after Community-Based Planning (CBP) consultative meetings have concluded, the City will begin Integrated Development Plan (IDP) sessions with communities. The IDP will provide a platform for the Executive Mayor Cllr Mpho Phalatse and the Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) to return to communities and update residents about the projects that have been proposed by communities.
Cllr Da Gama assures residents that the City’s Section 79 Committees will keep an eye on all the projects that are being implemented from start to finish. “The Section 79 Committees get quarterly reports where these projects are reported and they monitor them.”
He has issued an appeal to resident to take every opportunity to engage with the City. He says residents have an important role to play in reporting the service delivery gaps such as power outages.
“I think it’s important for residents to get involved in the CBP and IDP meetings because they pay rates and taxes. They contribute to the City’s coffers. They know what is needed in their wards and they are best placed to advise the City with regards to the needs of their communities,” says Cllr Da Gama.
He says the residents should follow the City’s plans and monitor them. He says the three spheres of government: National, Provincial and Local government, have a duty to respond to the needs of communities.
“The President has presented the State of the Nation Address, then you have the Premier of Gauteng also following on what the President has outlined telling us what the Province has budgeted; and the City will have its turn during the State of the City Address (SOCA) – where the Mayor will spell out her plans,” says the Speaker.
He says after the Mayor has outlined her plans during SOCA, then comes the Budget, which will be passed in June for the next financial year that starts in July.
Written by Nkosana Lekotjolo
28/02/2022