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Plans underway to develop Mpumalanga rural communities
29 October 2007
The Mpumalanga Department of Local Government and Housing and Mbombela Local Municipality are to expedite plans for better service delivery to rural communities. Plans are underway to deal with infrastructural and developmental backlogs in the municipality. These commitments were made by the department MEC Candith Mashego-Dlamini and Municipal Executive Mayor, Justice Nsibande at the weekend's Imbizo at Nsikazi Stadium. MEC Mashego-Dlamini and Mayor Nsibande opened government's low cost houses and interacted with communities at Msogwaba, Lindela and Khumbula villages during their visits.
Communities raised a number of concerns ranging from poor water supply, bad road infrastructure, need for electricity, inadequate houses and inept ward councillors among others. Other issues that were established are households not benefiting from government's poverty relief grants and a need for skills development and transfer to small contactors. MEC Mashego-Dlamini advised the communities to visit their nearest Health and Social Services Offices to apply for various grants by government. She also called on the business, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and communities in general to lend a helping hand to poverty stricken families.
Mbombela Executive Mayor, Justice Nsibande acknowledged the challenges rose by the communities and assured them that the municipality is prioritising these issues. Nsibande reflected that about 2 000 households are to be electrified in the municipality in this financial year; storm water drainage system is on the cards and reviving the bulk water supply. He also said the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) of the municipality is seriously looking at these and other challenges facing the municipality. "On the already built houses the municipality will put infrastructure in place like proper roads, drainage system and street lights," committed Mayor Nsibande.
Enquiries:
Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931
Issued by: Department of Local Government and Housing, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
29 October 2007