The eThekwini Executive Committee (EXCO) has ratified the spending of a budget of up to R1, 095 173 for the launch of the Cornubia Human Settlements project which was held last month (April). EXCO met at City Hall on Tuesday, 20 May 2014.
Phase 1A of the project was launched by President Jacob Zuma and more than 10 000 people attended the event. Over 480 families have already been allocated homes in the first phase. Costs for the launch were shared between the National and Provincial Departments of Human Settlements and the Municipality. Due to Council being on recess for the election period, Mayor James Nxumalo signed the Rule of Order authorising the spending. An amount of R1, 904,827 was set aside as contingency to cover unforeseen expenditure that may have been necessary for the function.
City Manager Sibusiso Sithole explained that the full extent of the actual spending will be detailed in a report to be presented to EXCO in due course. “The actual amount spent could be far lesser than the budgeted figure. We will submit a report to EXCO giving the breakdown of the actual costs.”
Speaker Logie Naidoo said the project enjoys the status of being a Presidential Project and its implementation had set high standards for the country. “Everyone is coming to the City to learn how we’ve done it here. Half of the national Cabinet, including the President, attended the launch.”
