MAHIKENG MAIL - MAHIKENG: Service delivery challenges which include the existence of potholes, water outages, electricity cuts, lack of infrastructure development and public safety are some of the most serious difficulties facing businesses in Mahikeng.
Business owners, during a recent private stakeholder engagement session, hosted by Mahikeng Executive Mayor, Tshepiso Mphehlo, expressed how happy they were to operate their businesses in Mahikeng. However, many of them said they were troubled by the ongoing service delivery challenges that need immediate intervention from the municipality. These concerns were aired in a panel discussion that sought to partner the private sector in Mahikeng with the municipality.
Lack of electricity and operating with generators affect many of the businesses - with financial loss triggering retrenchments and job cuts. The panel discussion also focused on the input and solutions to address the challenges facing businesses in Mahikeng.
The establishment of an agency dedicated to the road infrastructure will enable better management and maintenance of the provincial road network, through innovative models and reforms. This will be achieved by building internal capacity of professionals and will strengthen the collaborative engagements with investors for the agency to mobilise finances to increase investment in road infrastructure.
Effective from 1 May, Mahikeng Local Municipality will write off 60% of all debt that is older than 90 days, reducing property tariffs as a way to promote future affordability and financial sustainability for Mahikeng businesses and communities.
In response, Cllr Mphehlo said, “We are going to be working hard to realise the ideas put forward in this session. I am going to lead the executive arm of the municipality to ensure that we put our foot on the gas with these issues. “I am also going to see to it that the Municipal Manager brings her team to the party. Our management, working together with businesses, will have to ensure that this is not just another talk shop. We want to see tangible results. We also want to see these sessions continue in other forms, relating to the content we have been discussing. We therefore urge all affected residents to visit the municipality to make the necessary arrangements and benefit from this progressive debt relief initiative.”
