THOHOYANDOU - The Thulamela Municipality's 2004/2005 financial year's total capital budget is estimated at R50 352 750 and is an increase of 1,79% more than was budgeted for the previous financial year.

When tabelling the budget, Mayor Thivhulawi Makumbane said the total operational estimate for the next financial year is R110 802 251, and of this amount, R41 247 592 has been allocated for salaries and allowances.

"In the last financial year, the municipality undertook major projects, some of which have already been completed, while others will be finalised at the end of the coming financial year," he said. Makumbane said some of these projects created economic opportunities for people who were unemployed and trained in the implementation stages.

"The upgrading of Miluwani access road will help to minimize the traffic congestion on the Thohoyandou-Sibasa road, especially during peak hours," said Makumbane. It will be completed in June this financial year, at a cost of R4,2 million.

"The Vondwe access road was begun in May and is expected to be completed in August this year, at a cost of R1,3 million," he said.

The mayor said the resurfacing of Makwarela Hollywood filling station access road is still in the design phase and this project will cost R3,6 million.

"Thohoyandou road 1 to the new hospital is being upgraded at R3,5 million," he said. According to him, the implementation started in May and is expected to be completed in September 2004.

Makumbane stressed that the upgrading of streets in Makwarela is to begin soon and the work will be completed at a cost of R3,5 million in October 2004. "The upgrading of streets in Malamulele section A at a cost of R2,8 million will start this month and is expected to be completed in September 2004."

Another huge project, the extension of the municipal offices, which include the council and mayoral chambers, has already started and it will take three years to complete. The estimated cost of the project is R8 million.

The mayor said these projects are partly funded by both the Municipality and CMIP, while the Municipality funds some.

"We have R2 000 000 for regraveling 40km of access roads in 15 identified villages, by using using private contractors. At least 20% of the work is already completed at Manele (1,3km), Xithlelani (2,7km) Thohoyandou G (2,1 km), Khumbe (2,9 km) and Vhudimbilu (1,5 km) and we are hopeful of meeting the target," he said.

About the issue of water and sanitation, he said there is a huge backlog in the Thulamela Municipality area due to lack of funds and infrastructure, but at least 89% of households are getting portable water. Of these, 9% have access to water service provided to their dwelling units.

"We have built the Nkavele Water supply project at R1,6 million, which started in June 2003 and was completed in April 2004," said the mayor. "We have also spent R6,9 million in building the Fumani Bulk Water Supply, the final phase of which is a water treatment plant, which will be completed in June this year," he added. The Maniini Unit L Water Reticulation will be completed this month at a cost of R2,2 million.

The Gumbani Water Supply project was started in May this year and will be completed in August this year at a cost of R2,9 million.

The Tshivhilwi/Tshikambe Bulk Water Supply also started in May and expected to be finalised in August 2004. The project amount is R1,6 million. Tshisahulu Riverside Water Reticulation Phase 1 started in October 2003 and is to be completed next month at a cost of R7 83 450.00.

The municipality is prepared to install prepaid water meters. With regard to sanitation, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) has constructed 588 VIP toilets in 25 villages in the Thulamela Municipality through the CSIR.

The Malamulele Unit D Sewer Reticulation project gets R855 000; CMIP contributed R511 000 and the balance of R374 000 came from Thulamela Municipality. This project is expected to be finished in July 2004. R16,1 million was allocated to the Thohoyandou sewerage treatment works.

Thohoyandou Unit K Water Reticulation gets an amount of R1,5 million, Fondwe Water Supply gets R14 million, Xifaxani Water Supply gets R1,1 million, Mangena Water Supply gets R1,4 million, Khubvi water Reticulation gets R2,6 million and Tshivhase Water Supply gets R1,3 million.

In agriculture, the Lwamondo Agro Industry project receives R4 million, Tshifudi/Dimani Banana Project gets R145 000 and Tswinga Tamisani Rural Project gets R1 495 000.

In terms of housing, 950 units have been allocated, of which 150 are under the Rural Housing Process (RHP) and 800 under the Rural Housing Scheme. This includes disabled, aged and people affected by the 2000 flood disaster, and the poorest of the poor.

Regarding electricity, R4,5 million was allocated for electrification of several villages. About R500 000 was allocated for streets lights and before the end of this year, more villages will be electrified at a cost of R2 689 956 00.

About sports, recreation and environmental services, the mayor added that phase 1 of the Thohoyandou Stadium has been completed at a cost of R1 million. A budget of R8 000 000 has been set aside for 2004/2005.

An amount of R3, 3 million was set aside for the upgrading of Makwarela Stadium during the 2003/2004 financial year. "We are busy upgrading Malamulele Stadium at an amount of R1,8 million. An amount of R400 000 has been budgeted for the construction of Boxing Gym in Malamulele area," he said.

All councillors, representing several political organisations, said they were satisfied with the budget of Thulamela Municipality.