eThekwini given green light to roll over R1.6bn disaster grant
National Treasury has approved eThekwini Municipality's request for the rollover of a R1.6 billion disaster recovery grant.
"R1.5 billion to fund Human Settlement projects, water and sanitation, coastal and stormwater, roads provision and stormwater maintenance. That R1.5 billion, R1.2 billion will go to stormwater and roads. R94 million will go to Human Settlements,” says Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.
Kaunda had come under heavy criticism from opposition political parties after it was revealed during a council sitting last month that the City had forfeited the grant.
Kaunda had explained that they received in March, three months before of end of the financial year deadline.
READ: eThekwini fails to spend R1.5bn meant for infrastructure repairs
He said it was impossible for the City to spend the funds in such a short period of time on the 700 flood recovery projects, which all require strict supply chain processes.
Kaunda announced the rollover approval earlier on Thursday.
“This latest development, particularly in relation to the storm disaster grant, will help us to speed up the repairs to our critical infrastructure that was severely damaged during the floods.
“The approval of the Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant rollover implies that we must revise our business plans to ensure that PEP continues up until December this year.”
