About R7.5-billion is needed for energy distribution and refurbishment needs in Gauteng, MEC for local government Qedani Dorothy Mahlangu said on Friday.

"The figure, based on the latest assessment, indicates a funding requirement of R7.5-billion to address the distribution asset maintenance, refurbishment and strengthening," she said in her budget vote speech in the legislative assembly.

The local government also supported the 10 percent energy saving target set by national government and the use of alternative energy sources.

"In the medium term, we will roll-out solar geysers, solar powered traffic lights, replace high mast lights with street lights and install energy efficient lighting," said Mahlangu.

"We are working with the Central Energy Fund to ensure that street and traffic lights are powered with solar, batteries and the usage of light emitting diodes. The master plan will ensure that all traffic lights are synchronised."

R22m for risk reduction strategies

A further R22-million would be dedicated towards effective disaster risk reduction and management strategies for the 2010 World Cup and Gautrain.

The intention was to have a Disaster Management Mobile Unit by the end of this financial year, she said.

Gauteng government also established the Provincial Disaster Management Centre.

"The recent violent attacks on foreign nationals put the centre to test. "However tragic, this presented us with an opportunity to improve certain things and to re-look at how effective can we co-ordinate with municipalities," said Mahlangu.

About R10.9-million would be spent on implementing HIV and Aids guidelines.

Municipal support programmes focusing on organisational business re-engineering, human resources development strategies and performance management systems was allocated R25-million.

Government's hands-on support

"In continuing with government's hands-on support to municipalities, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

"The partnership forms part of the Siyenza Manje programme, and an amount of R134-million had been committed over the next two years," the MEC said.

Provincial Treasury has allocated an additional amount of R80-million to the Randfontein, West Rand, Kungwini, Mogale City , Nokeng Tsa Taemane and Emfuleni municipalities to assist with completing infrastructure business plans.

"We are in the process of developing the Sanitation Strategy to ensure that we meet the 2010 Millenium Development Goal target for sanitation.

"We have started collecting data on the sanitation backlog, that is, pit latrines and any other form of sanitation. This will assist us to know the extent of the backlog and it will inform our strategy."

An early-warning system

The Community Development Worker's Programme which forms a major role in ensuring that communities are informed of government programmes was allocated R70-million.

The focus would be on enhancing the effectiveness of CDWs, including the implementation of an early-warning system that would assist government to respond to community service delivery concerns, she said.

"The electronic hand-held devices given to all CDWs would be used as a tool for recording, referring and tracking community referrals."

The ANC adopted a policy of 50/50 gender representation in political positions and R1.5-million was budgeted towards this cause.

"We deemed it important to ensure that we also empower women councillors to address the challenges they face as leaders.

"Women councillors have been paired with mentors who are assisting and supporting them in their working environment and helping them to deal with the challenges they face while conducting their work and fulfilling their roles as councillors," said Mahlangu.

About R4.6-million would be committed to the Traditional Leaders Framework and Bill.

Sapa