"A total of 70% of this year’s budget is dedicated to service delivery, which is informed by priorities at the communities identified by local municipalities," said Cllr Philemon Mdaka, executive mayor for the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM). He delivered his State of the District address at the show ground in Louis Trichardt last Friday.

In his address, Mdaka outlined that the total budget for 2008/9 financial year was R1 265 565 869, with an operating expenditure of R380 104 709 and capital expenditure of R885 461 159.

"Consolidated in our integrated development plan (IDP), 70% of the budget is dedicated to service delivery, which is informed by priorities in the communities identified by our local municipalities. Only 30% of the budget is set for operating expenditure," indicated Mdaka.

This year’s budget, according to Mdaka, is more biased towards addressing of service provision, which is a major achievement for the district.

"The project allocations, according to our priorities, are as follows: Water projects R272 788 288, Sanitation R60 000 000, Electricity R30 000 000, Roads R78 000 000, Local Economic Development R38 300 000, Community Projects R23 600 000, and Capital outlay R47 175 013. For the work in progress, the municipality has already spent R318 101 160."

With regard to local municipalities’ allocations for the respective piloting projects, Mdaka indicated that the Musina Municipality was allocated R2, 5 million for the feasible phase of the water and sewer installation project in extension 4, 8, 9, and 10, including water and sanitation in newly proclaimed areas.

Mdaka also acknowledged the allocation of R12, 5 million for Mutale’s Rambuda-to-Mavhode Bulk Water Supply, with an addition of R6 million of the Mafukani-to-Mabila and Mavhode-to-Madatshitshi villages in the Mutale Municipal area of jurisdiction.

"The Thulamela municipality will receive a budget of R26, 5 million for the Mutale-to-Sambandou and Mavunde route S water supply, R7 million for the Damani regional water scheme and R26, 5 million for the Thohoyandou sewage works," said Mdaka.

The shortage of water in the Sinthumule and Kutama areas, according to Mdaka, will soon be a thing of the past, with an allocation of R48 million for the water project in the areas. R10 million was allocated for the upgrading of Makhado’s sewer treatment plant.

It was also indicated that R7 million was allocated for Mutale, R21 million for Makhado, and R21 million for Thulamela’s sanitation. "This sanitation budget is aimed at bringing human dignity and to prevent diseases amongst our people, the majority of whom are poor and residing in rural communities," highlighted Mdaka, adding that addressing these backlogs the district will be gradually moving closer to meeting the set millennium development goals and targets.

Regarding the various allocations, they ranged from R7 million for Mutale Municipality, R10 million for Makhado to R13 million for Thulamela municipality.

The challenges with regard to roads, according to Mdaka, were also going to be addressed with a budget of R15 million for the upgrading of the Tshino-Vuwani road, R10 million for the Madombidzha-Air Force Base road and R10 million for the Mavhunga road in the Makhado Municipality.

The Maungani access road and Makonde to Matangari roads, according to the budget, will also be upgraded with a budget of R15 million. "All these are awaiting implementation, with contractors already appointed," said Mdaka.

It was also indicated during the address that, through the VDM’s local economic development component, the Mphalaleni Tshitungulwane irrigation scheme had been allocated R9 million, Shayandima Industrial Area Streets R10 million, Khakhanwa Youth Poultry, Shayandima Youth produce market and Mapate Ecotourism project had been allocated R10 million. It was furthermore revealed that the Awelani Ecotourism Park of Mutale had been allocated R10 million.

"Assisting the local municipalities in an effort to reduce crime and keep young people away from streets, the district has set aside R23, 6 million that will be used for recreational facilities. An amount of R5 million will be set aside for the upgrading of the Thohoyandou Stadium," Mdaka further added.