Parliament, Thursday, 14 September 2023 – The construction of the Mpuluz/Methula Water Treatment Works in Mpumalanga’s Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality is expected to resolve the challenges of water supply in the area and other parts of the Gert Sibande District.
Today Mpumalanga’s permanent delegates to the NCOP conducted oversight visits to the construction sites of the project’s different phases and members were impressed with the progress.
The entire water scheme, which will also include the construction of a dam, is expected to cost about R1,3 billion and will be a huge relief to the communities who currently receive water three days a week due to water rationing because of inadequate capacity.
“This project will address the water challenges in this region, we are happy about the progress,and we hope it is completed on time because our people need water,” said MsEthel Nkosi, the Mpumalanga Provincial Whip in the NCOP.
The NCOP delegation told the provincial government official that the Provincial Week and oversight activities were not aimed to look for wrongs, but for the NCOP to ensure that municipalities build viable infrastructure that will make the lives of the people better.
The delegation also conducted oversight to the upgraded N17 road in between Msukaligwa Local Municipality and Chief Albert Luthuli, and Members of Parliament were impressed that the project was finished 3 months before scheduled deadline.
The Provincial Week is one of the initiatives that the NCOP initiated in order to enhance oversight over provincial and local governments and directly engage local communities on challenges of service delivery.
It also provides an opportunity for the NCOP and the provincial legislatures to jointly engage with citizens on challenges they experience and provide an opportunity to receive reports from government departments and municipalities on progress made regarding service delivery.
The theme for this year’s Provincial Week is “Building Viable Provincial and Municipal Infrastructure for Effective Delivery of Services to Communities”.
The Provincial Week programme will officially end tomorrow, and the report will later be tabled in the NCOP for debate and adoption. The report will also be shared with the executive at national and provincial governments for matters that need follow up.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL WHIP IN THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES, MS ETHEL NKOSI.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Leader of the delegation, please contact:
Name: Sakhile Mokoena
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 705 2130
E-mail: smokoena@parliament.gov.za
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