The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality smashed several service delivery targets according to the mid-term budget and performance report, but Executive Mayor Benson Fihla cautioned that we should also be mindful of challenges experienced in some township areas.
“While there has been a welcome improvement in a number of areas (particularly service delivery), I am concerned about refuse collection in most of our townships as desired improvements are not visible,” Mayor Fihla said.
Key service delivery highlights recorded from 1 July to 31 December 2014 – the first half of 2014/2015 financial year – include the following:
- A total of 746 state subsidised housing units were built completely demolishing the target of 335,
- A total of 1 509 erven provided with permanent water and sanitation against a target of 1 500,
- The target to rectify 52 state subsidised houses was well improved upon as 1 238 RDP houses were rectified,
- Continued provision of drinkable water supply to 100% of households within the urban edge (within a 200 m radius),
- Continued provision of electricity to 100% of households on officially surveyed sites,
- Exceeded the target of electricity provision to 1 100 new erven (low-cost housing) by actually electrifying 1 189 new low-cost housing erven,
- Provided career development opportunities for 44 unemployed graduates,
- Provision of support to Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs): Start-up equipment to 14 SMMEs in various categories, Support to 104 SMMEs in terms of the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) and Construction Incubation Programmes of the Municipality/Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA),
- Retaining full Blue Flag status for two local beaches (Humewood Beach and Kings Beach) and achieving pilot status for Hobie Beach,
- Recording a billed revenue collection rate of 94,89% (before write-offs), against a target of 95%, and the;
- Creation of 755 full-time equivalent jobs and 4 552 work opportunities, in terms of the Expanded Public Works Programme amongst others.
“Our reflections on current and past performances in service delivery by this institution indicate that considerable progress has been achieved, but also that a number of challenges still remain in realizing our mandate of ensuring a better quality of life for residents of Nelson Mandela Bay.
“We remain committed to this ideal,” Executive Mayor Benson Fihla said.
The municipal financial year for 2014/2015 started on 1 July 2014 and ends on 30 June 2015.
Editor: In the good news stakes I must admit that I am kinda proud that the Municipality allows grid-tie AND gives the consumer the ability to zero your consumption account. The NMB Municipality is the only one in SA currently doing this – yes, Cape Town does as well but they buy back excess electricity at a discounted rate and not at the rate that the consumer pays.
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