THE outgoing mayor at Greater Taung local municipality, Kaone Lobelo said they have set aside R4.2m to improve roads and storm water across Taung. Lobelo said the municipality comprises of 26 wards with about 106 villages and 3 townships.

“The streets within these villages and townships are eroded due to floods. They need to be re-graveled/patched. Instead of utilising the allocated budget for hiring of equipment to render this service, several equipment and plant were bought to assist the process.

“We have spent no less than R10m to buy Low-bed, 2 Graders, Roller, Excavator, 4 Tipper Trucks, and 2 Water Carts. R4.2m was allocated for the 2016/17 financial year for paving of roads in Boipelo and Reivilo,” he said.

Lobelo also said the traffic circle on the N18 will also be attended to during 2016/17 financial year. He said the traffic circle causes unnecessary backlog on traffic and need to be eliminated.

“More than R78m was spent on new road infrastructure within the municipality since 2011. And over 18km of paved roads were constructed in seven villages. We have also budgeted R21m for 2016/17 financial year to pave 5km road in Matlhako II and Moretele. A total of R99m has therefore been earmarked for improvement of roads,” he said.

He also further added that the under storm water drainage controlling three projects to the value of R37.8m were completed. He said the projects benefited five villages. Lobelo also said they have also seen improvement on administrative capacity.

“One of the first challenges we have had to deal with was to build a united front in order to ensure cohesion that is needed for any organ of the state to deliver services to the citizens. As a result of this, we have had to institute a number of disciplinary cases, most of which have been attended.  That has led to relative stability within our municipality,” Lobelo said.

-TDN

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