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According to a report, the eMadlangeni (Utrecht) Municipality is making strides in implementing Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) funded projects. This with the aim to improve service delivery to the community.
However, the MIG projects are not without their obstacles.
The Municipality’s Communications Unit explains that the eMadlangeni Mayor, Cllr Mzwakhe Buthelezi, has noted the recent developments concerning implementing MIG funded projects in Ward 2, which involves the upgrading of Loop Street Phase 1 and Upgrading of Kerk Street Phase 2.
Cllr Buthelezi recently received complaints from the residents of Kerk Street, who raised concerns regarding the portion of the road that would be upgraded. The community members feel the portion between Loop and Klopper Street should be the part that is rather upgraded.
Such was the concern, the municipality had to convene a meeting with the residents after they had stopped all work on site.
“At this meeting, it was clarified that the portion in question will be upgraded in the next financial year as phase 3 of the Kerk Street Upgrade project and the municipality committed to maintain the road in the interim. The projects have since continued as all parties concerned had reached an agreement and there have been no further disruptions,” the Municipality’s Communications Unit explained.
Moreover, the Mayor has also received reports of an incident on 18 March 2022 involving a service provider contracted by the main contractor and Municipal Councillors.
While not divulging too much, the Communications Unit said that the incident had been referred to the Office of the Speaker for investigation and to ascertain the veracity.
“The Mayor wishes to place on record that the municipality has only appointed the main contractors on all projects and any other service provider appointed by the main contractor is at his or her discretion, and there is no role played by any Councillor or official of the municipality in this regard,” the Communications Unit highlights.
According to the Utrecht Municipality, all project-related information is communicated via the appointed Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) who coordinate the day-to-day communication to the Ward Councillors and other role players.
“The Mayor, therefore, condemns any form of interference by either Councillors, officials or members of the public in the implementation of projects.”
With speculation going around where the funding for the MIG projects comes from, the eMadlangeni municipality emphasises that it is essential to note that these are projects funded through a conditional grant, which means funding is received in accordance with performance.
“The said projects should have commenced in July 2021, but were delayed due to internal processes. The new administration has acted with speed to ensure that these projects are implemented to prevent any loss of funding due to non-performance which may result in the municipality losing funding allocation for both current and future projects.”
Additionally, Cllr Buthelezi stated that any delay in implementing these projects would have dire consequences for the municipality.
“It is therefore important for all stakeholders to work together to ensure that these projects are completed without delay or hindrance. The municipality will take all reasonable steps to ensure that these projects are not delayed, including taking legal action should the need arise,” the Communications Unit concludes.
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