Acting metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe assures residents, businessowners and investors within both municipalities that they should not be rattled by the merger.
“The merger will be effective in 2016. This allows for the political steering committees and work streams to begin due-diligence on both municipalities in preparation for the 2016 merge of both municipalities,” explains Gadebe.
Gadebe says the merger will not impact negatively on residents within Ekurhuleni, nor will the merger negatively impact on Lesedi residents.
“The merger allows for the consolidation of revenue from residential and business properties, increasing the capital expenditure for infrastructure development, providing for additional capacity to deliver on the priorities of government and allowing for strengthened service delivery within the Gauteng region,” he says.
Asked if there will now be a name change, Gadebe says there will a realignment of the municipal boundary under the guidance of the Municipal Demarcation Board (MBD) and realignment of the wards.
“The political and technical steering committee will be working on these and other details such as name changes. Provision within the budget will accommodate any boundary amendments and/ or name changes.”
Gadebe says public participation and the provision of information to residents will be ensured.
“All previously identified projects and promises in wards as captured in the Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) will still be delivered on till 2015/16 financial year as per committed budgets and targets.
“From 2016, after the local government elections, the new IDP of the merged municipalities will be developed with communities and stakeholders as per public participation regulations,” he adds.
He assures residents that they should still expect that service delivery will continue, and that the commitment of government to deliver services still remains, while quality of infrastructure delivery will not be compromised.
“Residents of both municipalities will still have a voice and retain their homes within the boundaries of the merged municipality.
“Municipal officials will still continue to provide services to residents.” – @TumeloBoksburg
