TO improve stakeholder relations and service delivery provision the Ugu District Mayor, Cllr Tolomane Mnyayiza calls for a more active citizenry where the community collaborates with the municipality to improve the district.
Mayor Mnyayiza made this pronouncement at his first public consultation meeting at Breamer Hall, KwaNzimakwe, during the Water Awareness Campaigns being conducted by the municipality recently.
During his address, highlighted the importance of community dialogue saying it’s these platforms that we as government weigh ourselves on the effectiveness of our services to the community. “Community meetings are a laboratory where we analyse and find remedies for service delivery deficiencies. This platform should also be utilised to instil a collaborative approach towards service delivery.”
Our approach going forward in the implementation of all municipal service delivery initiatives is not to isolate the community but incorporate the traditional methods and work together with tribal authorities, councillors and ward committees to successfully reap fruits of collective efforts.
At the meeting the kwaNzimakwe community were given a platform to raise their concerns on the status of water provision in this community sighting any shortfalls whilst simultaneoulsy making mention of service delivery improvements.
We shared with the community the progressing plans on the development of water infrastructure which have benefitted the area of Nkoneni which for the first time has access to basic water. The second phase of this project to be implemented within this financial year includes the extention of the pipeline reticulation to cover a wider scope of the KwaNzimakwe community.
The negative effects of water theft and vandalism of infrastructure were extensively addressed by both the community and the municipality.
While we as the municipality understand the frustrations of the community on limited access to water, households that consume reticulated water without a proper, authorized metered device is deemed illegal. “Households must apply for water connection through the municipality and technicians will be deployed to assess the applicants’ households for possible connection.”
A plea is made to all communities throughout the district to actively participate in the curbing of water and infrastructure theft by utilising the available mediums to report such unlawful acts.
Communities can remain anonymous and report crime on 0801 111 660, fax: 086 5222 816, email: information@whistleblowing.co.za or post to PO Box 51006, Musgrave, 4001.
Ugu District Municipality promotes working together to create an environment that is friendly, responsive, accountable, effective and efficient for our communities.
‘Ugu District is Better Today than it was Yesterday.’
ENDS
ISSUED BY:
UGU DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
For more information and media queries contact:
Senior Manager: Mayoralty and Communications
Mr France Zama