THE DA's support for the 2014-15 budget is conditional. The DA firmly believes that if our conditions are met the municipality will be able to reduce the burden on the ratepayer, ensure the budget is cash backed and delivers increased services to the poorest communities.
The cash crisis in Nelson Mandela Bay is a direct result of fruitless and wasteful expenditure of more than R400-million. Water losses and electricity theft is more than R400-million, and outstanding traffic fines is more than R140-million.
The savings potential on the above alone in this municipality is close to R1-billion and this is where we must start in order to reduce the burden to all and improve delivery.
The DA will support the 2014-15 budget if the following conditions are met:
- Implementation of the approved operational efficiency plan to achieve a reduction in water losses and electricity theft;
- Resolve the staffing issues at the traffic and licensing department within four months to collect the outstanding debt of R140-million;
- Implement weekly refuse collection in all wards to reduce illegal dumping;
- The immediate release of the Pikoli Report and action on all forensic reports in order to cut out corruption;
- Allocate a budget for national pride celebrations to avoid irregular expenditure;
- Adhere to National Treasury requirements especially with regard to cost containment measures and non-priority spending (such as the deputy mayor's car);
- A commitment to work constructively with commerce and industry to become a catalyst for economic growth that creates jobs;
- A plan to eliminate the bucket toilet system within two years;
- That for the 2014-15 year the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) must be completed and approved before the rates increases are put on the table;
- While we grudgingly accept that property rates remain at the 9.5% level as the absolute top limit, likewise for electricity at 7.39%, water, sanitation and refuse charges must be reduced to 10%.
The DA will be embarking on our own, extensive public participation programme to ensure that the voices of all the residents are heard before the budget is passed.
The DA is the official opposition in council with the support of more than 40% of the electorate and our input must be considered as it was last year when we supported the budget.
We trust that all political parties are prepared to work together for change and together for jobs by adopting our conditions to the budget.
Angelo Dashwood, DA councillor and spokesperson on budget and treasury, Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality