11 June 2009

Encouraging economic development at municipal level

The Municipal Infrastructure Grant aimed at fast-tracking and improving service delivery at municipalities was launched in April 2004. The grants supports municipalities with their capital budget and their Integrated Development Plans (IDP) to fund infrastructure, primarily benefiting poor households. Communities have to be involved in the IDP process and participated in the prioritising of projects aimed at improving their lives. It also creates jobs with labour intensive methods in line with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and government's objective of reducing poverty. This include projects such as the building and upgrading of roads, storm water drainage, pipelines, wastewater works, bulk water provision, meters, pumps, reservoirs, fencing, lights, sport facilities, and infrastructure for cemeteries.

The grant further :

• Co-ordinate, support and develop municipal infrastructure policy and monitor and evaluate implementation of infrastructure
• Develop an appropriate capital programme management capacity
• Provide the spatial information and develop macro plans that will guide strategic direction in infrastructure delivery
• Establish a policy framework for infrastructure development finance

Moreover, it is also a key component of government's overall drive to alleviate poverty and attain the set Millennium Development Goals target of halving poverty by 2014. Since its inception ,the grant has allocated millions to Gauteng municipalities for basic services and infrastructure investment and has encouraged economic development at municipal level.

Author : Graca dos Santos