Mnquma and Mbhashe local municipalities have been allocated over R300 million by the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) for the 2022/2023 financial year, which will go towards several projects aimed at addressing water and sanitation service delivery challenges within the two local councils.
The 2022/2023 financial year in municipalities began on July 1 and ends on June 30, 2023.
Of the total R300 million allocation, R212 million has been allocated to Mnquma Local Municipality, with Mbhashe getting a total investment of R95 million.
These allocations were announced by ADM Executive Mayor, Councillor Nceba Ndikinda, as he delivered his maiden state of the district address (SODA) at King Hintsa TVET College’s Dutywa Campus on June 28.
“Construction has begun in Ward 11 and 14 in Mnquma Local Municipality, where we are addressing sanitation challenges. In the previous financial year, this project experienced challenges such as the sourcing of a contractor.
“I am happy to announce that an amount of R1.7 million has been allocated for the project in the 2022/23 financial year,” Ndikinda said.
“Mnquma Municipality has been allocated an amount of R210.5 million from Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) funding. An amount of R44.7 million has been allocated for Phase 3 of the Ibika/Centani Water Supply Project and the project is nearing completion.”
“An amount of R43 million has been allocated for the Centani phase four water supply project while the Ngqamakhwe regional water supply project (phases one to four) will be allocated R35.8 million. It does not end there; phase two of the Nxaxo and Cebe water supply scheme project has been allocated R35.8 million, while Zizamele sewerage reticulation project and Cafutweni water supply scheme have each been allocated R13.4 million,” Ndikinda announced.
He further announced an R8.9 million allocation towards phase two, region two of the Mnquma area-wide sanitation project, R8.1 million for Bawa Falls water supply project and R5.4 million allocation for Gcuwa West Regional Water Supply, as well as R1.4 million allocation for various sanitation and water supply projects across Mnquma Local Municipality.
In Mbhashe, the ADM allocated R86.2 million under the Municipal Infrastructure Grant.
Of this amount, R28.9 million has been set aside for the Mgwali South and North water supply projects, while R13.5 million has been allocated for the Sundwana water supply scheme.
“Close to R5 million has been allocated for various projects, including the Mbhashe Elliotdale sanitation project, Elliotdale wastewater treatment works, Mbhashe area wide sanitation projects in various wards, and the upgrading of the bulk collector sewers that will accommodate future property developments in Dutywa,” Ndikinda added.
ADM further announced allocations to other local municipalities under the district for the 2022/2023, with Amahlathi Local Municipality getting R64 million, R19 million for Great Kei Local Municipality and R7 million for Ngqushwa Local Municipality, as well as R62 million towards Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality.
“We thank the ADM for prioritising the supply of sanitation and water services to our municipality. These projects will have a positive impact in restoring the dignity of the people of Mnquma,” Ndikinda said.
“As a municipality, we have been experiencing a drought which resulted in a lot of discontent in our communities over recurring water shortages, so, indeed, when these projects are successfully implemented, it will mean that we will have lesser problems when it comes to service delivery. The projects also bode well for industrial and local economic development where workers and companies can benefit,” said Mnquma Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Thunyiswa Manxila-Nkamisa.
