Debate on the Multi-Party Meetings Held in Ugu District

Hon. Speaker, the Minority Front understands the challenges in the Ugu District even if we did not undertake this TLTP programme because of information coming through on various community groups daily.
The report states that, the municipalities are planning to address these challenges. The approach is in keeping with our NDP 2030, i.e. The National Development Plan. But how do we continue planning if we do not have quality planners? Where is our KZN Planning Commission’s intervention? Budgets, Hon. Members are simply detailed plans for the future, expressed informal quantum terms. Hon. Speaker, municipal managers and planners must understand that effectively managing the constraints will be key to success in Ugu.
I visit Ugu regularly. The local nearby techno-hub is basically a stray white elephant, because this district is not doing enough to attract investors.
Yet, the Ugu district has huge potential but deteriorating infrastructure is the critical problem. Ugu is a coastal district, but the coastal management plan is weak, hence the vulnerability during storms and the recurrent disasters. So, Ugu needs planners.
Hon.Premier, it may be worth the expenditure to get a smart-district planning business consultant to draw up proper planned developments, in a holistic manner as per community needs.
We know that, capital development projects will bring employment and kick-start tourism in this district. So capital expenditure budgeting be ring-feneed.
Qualified planners will ensure that the basic needs of water and energy is protected through green development.
Hon. members, the MF appreciates that much has been done but we must be realistic and also ask, at what cost? We can develop Ugu, by replanning in a cost-effective way.
Thank you.