The Mayor, Nkosilathi Jiyane, said the local authority was in dire need of financial aid as some of the projects have been in construction for over 21 years.
“Finance is a major challenge facing the municipality in the delivery of housing and infrastructure development such as servicing of stands recently allocated to various co-operatives and individuals,” he said.
The completion of the four major projects – Mukhosana Township Low-Cost housing project One, and Two, Mfelandawonye Low-Cost scheme and Medium Density Aerodrome – would make 2 385 stands available.
The town’s housing backlog is currently pegged at 7 500 units. The mayor said in an effort to assist government workers getting decent accommodation, council had reserved 408 stands through Mukhosana township Low-Cost project Two.
“This project (Mukhosana) entails the development of low cost housing units for cooperatives, civil servants, council employees and special cases. The project awaits engineering designs and is expected to cost $2.8 million,” he said.
Jiyane said his council needed the money to complete servicing – including road formation and resurfacing, installation of septic tanks for sewer systems and water connections.
He also expressed concern at the slow progress at Medium Density Aerodrome caused by government’s delay in relocating Sprayview Army Camp.
“Currently the project is facing the challenge of the relocation of the camp which is situated in the middle of the scheme because there are 33 stands that cannot be developed.
“At the inception of the project the understanding was that the relocation of the Sprayview Army Camp was to be relocated to pave way for the project and the exercise was to be funded by the central Government,” he said.
Post published in: Business Analysis