ONCE AGAIN THE WESTERN CAPE EXCELS WITH DELIVERY - R21,2 million approved for 9 new projects

"CMIP in the Western Cape has now in total (1997-2004) spent R689,1 million on 1063 municipal infrastructure projects ensuring that the most basic needs of the people of the Western Cape are being met and in the process approximately 2,411 million person days of employment were created."

Once again the Consolidated Municipal Infrastructure Programme (CMIP) as managed and coordinated by the Department of Local Government in the Western Cape has excelled with delivery. With the conclusion of the financial year, CMIP has once again managed to allocate its full amount of R183 million to be utilised for infrastructure programmes in disadvantaged areas. In light of the above, the Western Cape has been acknowledged as one of the best performing provinces in the CMIP programme.

I am also pleased to announce that I have approved 9 new projects with a total CMIP value of R21,2 million.

An amount of R2,9 million has been approved for the Bitou Municipality for the upgrade of the Keurbooms water supply.

Touwsriver's water supply will be upgraded after an amount of R2,7 million has been approved for the Breede Valley Municipality.

The Breede River/Winelands municipality will be the recipient of R 3,8 million for a new regional solid waste terrain and an Upgrade of the sewage works in Robertson, the rehabilitation of the water supply in Montagu and the upgrade of the sewage works in McGregor.

An amount of R9,2 million has been approved for Khayelitsha in the City of Cape Town for a new minibus/taxi trade area.

The main access road of Lyonville in Uniondale will be rehabilitated after an amount of R1,4 million has been approved and Leeu-Gamka's streets and stormwater will be rehabilitated after an amount of R1 million has been approved.

CMIP has now in total (1997-2004) spent R689,1 million on 1063 municipal infrastructure projects ensuring that the most basic needs of the people of the Western Cape are being met and in the process approximately 2,411 million person days of employment were created. This no doubt is the most important first step in building a World Class Province with world-class municipal infrastructure. The key to meeting these needs is the creation and maintenance of quality municipal infrastructure like good roads, a reliable supply of clean water, and the provision of sufficient electricity.

CMIP funds are allocated to the seven project categories (water, sanitation, roads, solid waste, community facilities, community lighting and storm water).

Through the Consolidated Municipal Infrastructure Programme, the Department of Local Government, will continue to develop and upgrade infrastructure for the disadvantaged communities. With the provision of infrastructure, the provincial government can bring human dignity and self-respect to the poor. The aim of CMIP is to build communities through infrastructure provision laying a solid foundation for the provincial vision of iKapa elihlumayo: Hope, Delivery & Dignity in the next decade.