Emfuleni Mayor says the municipality has approved investment of R30 billion, but can't access it yet

VAAL TRIANGLE - The Emfuleni Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr. Sipho Radebe, yesterday delivered the State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) in Vereeniging. Radebe said the municipality has an approved investment of R30 billion, but owing to infrastructure challenges, the funds can’t be unlocked until they improve electricity infrastructure. He said they are working on a plan to unlock projects in a bid to create job opportunities and further stimulate local economic growth. Radebe said Emfuleni is one of the many distressed municipalities in South Africa that is severely confronted by a combination of developmental challenges and poverty. He said the municipality has over time struggled to generate sufficient income and to create a conducive environment for the desired economic climate to thrive. Emfuleni has high levels of poverty and unemployment resulting from a significant decline of our economy in particular steel industry and manufacturing industries. Radebe said in response to the current economic development challenges, the Emfuleni Local Municipality jointly with the National Government, Gauteng Provincial Government and Sedibeng District Municipality have established the Vaal Special Economic Zone (SEZ). He said the spheres of government have further secured a company to oversee SEZ work, with the primary objective of attracting investment to grow the local economy and create employment opportunities. (MORE INFO ON THE SPEECH TO FOLLOW IN LATER POSTS.)

PHOTO: (Emfuleni Local Municipality)