The City of Johannesburg has unveiled its R83.1 billion budget, prioritising investments in infrastructure renewal and service delivery to mitigate the impact of load shedding and revitalise the city. Focus on Operational Efficiency and Infrastructure Renewal. Finance Member of the Mayoral Committee, Councillor Dada Morero, outlined the budget breakdown on Tuesday 14 May, saying R75.7 billion is allocated for operational expenditure, while the remaining R7.4 billion is reserved for capital expenditure projects.
MMC Morero said the City had to make tough choices to ensure that the budget aligns with the priorities outlined in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). “To systematically address these challenges, difficult choices and trade-off had to be made to ensure that the budget priorities and investments in City’s IDP programmes drive revenue improvement, curb leakages, whilst being mindful of the developmental needs in Johannesburg.” said MMC Morero. “Investments will drive revenue growth, curb leakages, and address the developmental needs of our citizens.”
Key Budget Allocations:
• City Power: R4.2 billion capital budget for infrastructure projects (3 years).
• Johannesburg Water: R18.3 billion operational budget for water quality, sewer services, demand management, and theft prevention.
R4.5 billion multi-year capital budget.
• Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo: R125.3 million multi-year capital budget for zoo, parks, and cemetery upgrades.
• Joburg Theatre: R68 million capital budget for upgrades across all three theatres (3 years).
• Public Transport: R300 million investment in upgrading public transport facilities across the city.
• Health Department: R1.5 billion for programs including: Maternal & Child Health Care, HIV & AIDS, Communicable Disease Control, Mobile Clinics for increased access to primary healthcare and local female dignity packs initiative
Public Safety: Encompassing emergency medical services, fire response, disaster relief, and building inspections.
Infrastructure Upgrades: Parks, cemeteries, zoo infrastructure, and the “Complete Streets” programme promoting pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Good Governance: Funding for councillor training and strengthening ward committees and community participation structures.
Investing in Infrastructure Renewal
MMC Dada said the City is committed to refurbishing and replacing ageing infrastructure. This includes projects like:
Complete Streets Programme: Prioritising pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
Public Environment Upgrades: Enhancing public spaces across the city.
Precinct Upgrades: Targeted infrastructure improvements in areas like Fordburg, Jabulani, and Zandspruit.
Microgrid Electrification Programme: Addressing the electrification backlog in informal settlements.
Resolving Dispute with Eskom
The City acknowledges an ongoing dispute with Eskom, the national electricity supplier. City Power, the City’s electricity distributor, contests a R1.073 billion debt claim from Eskom. City Power counters that Eskom may have overcharged them by R3.32 billion on bulk purchases. “We are committed to resolving this dispute through independent mediation,” said MMC Morero. “This approach aims to find a mutually acceptable settlement and avoid costly legal proceedings.”
Attracting Private Sector Investment
According to MMC Morero, the City is actively attracting and supporting private sector investment. This includes partnerships with organisations like the National Business Initiative and the World Resource Institute. Additionally, collaborations focus on specific areas like Lanseria, where private funding contributes to bulk infrastructure development.
“Over R64 billion in private sector investments have already been secured,” highlighted MMC Morero. ” This staggering influx of capital has not only resulted in the development of state-of-the-art infrastructure but has laid the foundation for transformative projects that will shape the future of Johannesburg.”
The City recognises the need to address ageing infrastructure and budgetary constraints to further incentivise private sector investment. Partnerships also aim to mitigate climate change and develop sustainable funding mechanisms for infrastructure projects.
14/05/2024
To stay informed about the latest developments in the City, connect with us on:
X: @CityofJoburgZA
Facebook: City of Joburg
Instagram: @CityofJoburg
TikTok: @CityofJoburg
LinkedIn: City of Johannesburg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CityOfJoburgZA/videos
Joburg Pulse Radio: https://s3.radio.co/s349cd1429/listen