Durban — A recent National Treasury report revealed that the eThekwini Municipality performed well in spending 100% of the R1.3 billion Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG).
The USDG allocated a total of R7.5bn to various metropolitan municipalities over the last financial year. According to the report, metros around the country had spent about 85% of the total available as of June 30, with eThekwini being the only metro to spend 100%.
eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba said the City spent 100% of the USDG in the past six years and had received an unqualified audit opinion during the same period.
The City also performed very well on the Infrastructure Settlements Upgrading Partnership (ISUPG), spending 100% of R769 million. According to the National Treasury, metros around the country had spent 86% of the total available for ISUPG as of June 30.
Xaba said in terms of bulk purchases, the City continued to honour its financial obligations with Eskom and uMgeni-uThukela Water.
“We are pleased with the co-operation we are receiving from various stakeholders including business, civil society, and organised labour. The City will continue to engage with our stakeholders throughout the City to form strong partnerships to fast-track service delivery.”
During his acceptance speech earlier this month, Xaba said his first priority would be to tackle water and sanitation infrastructure problems, and ensuring an uninterrupted water supply. Xaba also committed to following up with urgency on areas that were without water.
The northern areas of Durban such as Phoenix, Verulam, Ntuzuma and Tongaat have been hard hit by water challenges and residents continue to protest against the City’s failures.
During the recently concluded Resurgence Economic Conference, Xaba promised trade relations and progressive investment talks, small business development and opening corridors of trade between Africa and the US.
He said this would inject revenue into eThekwini’s economy to help tackle service delivery issues.
Under the USDG, the City of Tshwane had spent 98.8% of the R948 462 funds allocated, followed by Buffalo City, which spent 94% of the R618 034 made available to them.
Under the ISUPG, the City of Cape Town had spent 95.4% of the R663.272m funds allocated, followed by the City of Johannesburg which spent 94% of the R667.269m made available to it.
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