Date: 18/12/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Dowry: Infrastructure projects of R30,5 million approved for Western Cape


STATEMENT BY COBUS DOWRY, MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

HUMAN DIGNITY AND SELF RESPECT TO THE POOR WITH THE PROVISION OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO THE VALUE OF R30,5 MILLION APPROVED FOR THE WESTERN CAPE - CITY OF CAPE TOWN WILL RECEIVE R28,5 MILLION

Infrastructure delivery at municipalities in the Western Cape is on track. Keeping in mind the strategic vision of the provincial government "iKapa elihlumayo: Hope, Delivery & Dignity for the Next Decade" the Consolidated Municipal Infrastructure Programme (CMIP) has a crucial impact on the alleviation of poverty with the provision of infrastructure.

In the current financial year R184 million has been allocated to CMIP (Consolidated Municipal Infrastructure Programme) for municipal infrastructure projects in the Western Cape aimed at providing at least basic levels of services to low income households.

The City of Cape Town is the major beneficiary of R115,6 million of our total CMIP allocation of R184 million. Therefore the City's share translates to 63% of our total allocation for the year. In light of our commitment to the City of Cape Town I have now approved CMIP funding for 2 infrastructure projects in the City of Cape Town to the value of R 28 560 000.

For the disposal of domestic solid waste in the Southern Metropole an amount of R7 million has been approved for the Coastal Park Landfill site.

I have also approved an amount of R21,5 million for the upgrade of the water waste treatment works at Kraaifontein. This project will serve approximately 80 000 beneficiaries in the low-income household category.

For the current financial year (2003/2004) CMIP in the Western Cape is on track. Currently 164 infrastructure projects with a CMIP value of R257,75 million are underway in the Western Cape. 5 projects of R5,07 million have been completed. 48 projects with a value of R48,58 million are under construction. 55 projects with a value of R82,02 million are in the design and tender phase and 55 projects with a value of R122.08 million are in the approval process.

I have also approved 3 projects with a total value of R2 million in the Municipality of Mossel Bay. An amount of R1,6 million has been approved for a new bus route in Kwa Nonqaba whilst new pedestrian side walks will be erected in Mossel Bay and Groot Brak River.

CMIP has as purpose "Building Communities through the provision of infrastructure" and the Western Cape has been acknowledged as one of the best performing provinces in the CMIP programme. With the provision of infrastructure, the provincial government can bring human dignity and self-respect to the poor. In the Western Cape we have gone a long way to achieve this.

Enquiries: Jan Bosman, 083-7755-312, jbosman@pawc.wcape.gov.za
Issued by the Ministry of Local Government, Western Cape Provincial Government, 18 December 2003