Panyaza Lesufi, Premier of Gauteng has committed to address 13 priorities this year, including water, cable theft and vandalism, non-functional traffic lights, potholes, crime and lawlessness, mushrooming of informal settlements, electricity – load shedding and load reduction, an increase in gender-based violence and femicide, drug abuse, service at hospitals and clinics, lack of schools, failing infrastructure and the City Centre (CBD) as well as unemployment.
Lesufi was speaking at the Gauteng State of the Province Address, in Tshwane, on Monday evening.
He said a decision was made to allow City Power to take over the electricity supply of the Eikenhof pumping station while Eskom will take over the Emfuleni pumping station to restore electricity.
Pertaining to water, he said “as we move forward, we are preparing all municipalities to receive a large water supply from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, set for completion in 2028. This requires massive upgrades to municipal infrastructure to ensure it can accommodate the additional water supply.
Jointly with the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, we have established a war room with all our municipalities to monitor, resolve, and protect our water supply in the province.”
The Province has shut down 1,079 scrap yards for non-compliance, as a way to address cable theft.
He also said more than 400 traffic signals across Gauteng, were identified and require immediate replacement.