Plan to beat the delivery backlogs

29 August, 2007

^{Healthy living: The municipality is committed to creating a city where all citizens feel protected and sure that their basic health needs are met. An amount of about R1.6-billion has been budgeted for health, safety and social services. Picture: Peter Bendheim, incorporating a photograph by Paul Weinberg}

By eThekwini Online reporter

The municipality is drawing up a plan to overcome backlogs in services by 2010 –as envisaged by President Thabo Mbeki in his sate of the nation address earlier this year.

eThekwini is looking at the following basic services: water; sanitation; electricity/basic energy; refuse removal; and housing. To meet the 2010 target for basic services an additional R269-million in capital expenditure will be required each year, for the next five years.

Additional operating expenditure of R57.12- million will be required for next year, increasing by the same amount year on year. Maintenance costs will also go up.

The planners have calculated that an additional R5-million a year will be needed for solid waste services. However, the definition of basic services can be broadened to include: access roads; sidewalks and footpaths; stormwater drainage; public transport; greening; street numbers and names; and community facilities.

If this is done, an additional R893-million in capital expenditure a year will be required for five years; an additional R56-million in operating expenditure per year, for five years; and other related expenses and depreciation.

Municipal planners have recommended that the Treasury seeks grants from national government to cover the additional expenditure.

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