The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC, Mr Sipho Hlomuka has welcomed the appointment of contractors who will supply electricity connections to the rural communities of wards 1,2,3,4 in the Abaqulusi and ward 4 of Jozini Local Municipalities.
The appointments which have been done by the department mark an important milestone in the lives of the 646 households who will now have access to electricity for the very first time thanks to the intervention of the department.
Yesterday, MEC Hlomuka sent a delegation from his office to meet with the political leadership and Amakhosi to officially inform them of the appointment and the rollout plan of the project.
Under the leadership of MEC Hlomuka, the department of Cogta continues to provide strategic interventions aimed at supporting municipalities in the rollout of services to communities. Through this intervention, the department’s engineers will work closely with the appointed contractors to ensure that the 646 connections are delivered on time and within budget.
MEC Hlomuka believes that this intervention is yet another sign of the government’s commitment to expanding access to electricity, especially in rural communities. “The municipalities of Abaqulusi and Jozini face immense financial pressures as a result of being located in deeply rural areas that have a limited rates base. Through this intervention we are ensuring that the communities are not prejudiced by financial challenges that face these municipalities” said Hlomuka.
MEC Hlomuka has also commissioned the commencement of pre- project implementation activities which amongst others will include the setting up of site offices and holding consultative with local political leadership and amakhosi ahead of community engagements that will be led by the MEC.
Senior officials from the department will work closely with the municipalities to ensure that the necessary systems are in place for the contractors to start with the work without any delays.
Issued by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
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