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Nelson Mandela Bay is now, more than ever before, in need of a new government, with the ANC-led administration recording historic failures with regards to finances and service delivery. The facts read like a horror story of mismanagement and neglect.

Under the ANC the Metro has now totally broken down and in certain aspects has reached some of its worst performances ever recorded. These include:

• Highest debt (R9 billion)
• Lowest capital expenditure (76%)
• Slowest creditors repayment rate (72 days)
• Lowest collection rate (75,67%)
• Lowest number of indigent households being serviced (54 630)
• Highest non-technical electricity losses (17,5%)
• Highest number of outstanding town planning amendments (more than 400)

Never before has Nelson Mandela Bay been littered with so many potholes (approximately 20 000) and outstanding sewage blockages (approximately 5000).

And to add insult to injury, the municipality has only reached four out of its 16 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in terms of service delivery.

The DA and like-minded parties in council – the ACDP, FF Plus, AIC, AIM, PAC and UDM – recently signed a coalition agreement with the sole purpose of taking over government and getting Nelson Mandela Bay working again.

The DA and our coalition partners will make addressing these issues our top priorities should we regain control of Nelson Mandela Bay. We need good governance to return to the municipality if we are to get Nelson Mandela Bay working again.

We will not allow the ANC to further sabotage the future of NMB and we are certain our coalition partners will stand right beside us in this fight.

The DA wants to return Nelson Mandela Bay to its rightful place as the economic powerhouse of the province and beacon of service delivery and good governance. By getting the basics right, the DA and its coalition partners will create an enabling environment for all to thrive.

Our residents deserve better. They deserve political leadership that puts them first, and who conducts the business of the city in an open, transparent manner.

Let’s get Nelson Mandela Bay working again.

Issued by Cllr Retief Odendaal - DA NMB Mayoral Candidate