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The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality will finally receive its conditional grant funding amounting to over a billion rand from National Treasury.
Acting Executive Mayor Thsonono Buyeye says this follows a marathon-session of constructive engagements.
Buyeye says he has received correspondence from Finance Minister Tito Mboweni in which he stated that the Metro and Treasury had reached a common understanding on how to restore progress in the Bay.
National Treasury had withheld funds from the Metro due to the Municipality’s non-compliance in a number of areas.
Buyeye said Treasury had raised concerns about outstanding forensic investigations and the delay in the appointment of permanent senior management, including filling the city manager vacancy.
When Treasury intervened they also raised a concern about the city's failure to appoint a permanent executive mayor following the booting out of the late Mongameli Bobani back in December last year.
Buyeye said multiple conditions have been agreed upon between the City and Treasury including an extract of Council minutes with resolutions for the implementation of an action plan on the recommendations outlined in the correspondence from Treasury dated 24th February this year.
Minister Mboweni wrote that quarterly meetings would now be held to monitor the progress with regard to resolutions contained in the minutes of Council supported by the implementation of the action plan on recommendations put by Treasury to the City.
Mayor Buyeye said Mboweni’s letter was a clear indication of Treasury’s confidence in the current administration.
“As a leadership collective, we are pleased and encouraged about these developments. They are a clear indication of a vote of confidence in the current administration and its efforts to strengthen the administrative systems in this city.”
