Source: Department of Minerals and Energy
Title: R Kasrils: amaJuba District Municipality celebratory function
STATEMENT MADE BY MINISTER RONNIE KASRILS ON THE OCCASION OF A CELEBRATORY FUNCTION ORGANISED BY MAYOR MLANGENI OF THE AMAJUBA DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, 6 April 2004
The progress made in the amaJuba - Newcastle area - on water supply and sanitation is an example of the progress that has been made across South Africa in improving the quality of life of our people.
Over 100 000 people have been provided with safe water. Over 13 000 have been provided with safe and dignified sanitation facilities. R54,6 million was invested by Government in these schemes.
As important has been the work done to build the capacity of the municipalities to continue with this work, to complete construction of outstanding projects and to ensure that the services provided are properly operated and maintained.
The Thukela Water Services Partnership was established with help from international donors, sourced and supplemented by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. It is able to offer the relevant municipalities a dedicated regional water service provider function and I hope that the Ladysmith areas will also benefit from their capacity. The Municipalities have also been assisted to develop their capacity and undertake planning of water service provision.
In addition to the 8 projects already completed, the two bulk sewage works serving Madadeni and Osizweni areas, which have been operated by national Government, are being transferred to the municipalities which will be given support with refurbishment to ensure that they are not burdened with immediate maintenance problems.
It is thus appropriate to highlight the challenges facing the municipalities. They have been provided with the means to provide basic services to the people of the region. It is up to them now to meet that challenge, using the resources that have been made available to them.
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry will continue to provide support to help them in this task. But the communities served also have important responsibilities. It will be up to the communities to co-operate with the municipalities, their councillors and officials at all levels, to look after the infrastructure and keep the services working.
It is up to the communities to ensure that their municipalities provide free basic water supply is in terms of government policy, using the equitable share and other funds provided for the purpose. Equally important will be for the communities to ensure that those who use more than the free basic amount pay their way and that the infrastructure which makes it possible to provide the services is cared for.
Ensuring safe water supply and healthy sanitation is everyone's business!
Enquiries: Themba Khumalo
Cell: 082 802 3432
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
6 April 2004
Source: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (http://www.dwaf.gov.za)
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