eThekwini Municipality - A PUBLIC LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF ETHEKWINI REFUTING CLAIMS THAT THE CITY IS FUNDING AN OCEAN CRUISE BY MAYOR JAMES NXUMALO RSS eThekwini Municipality - A PUBLIC LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF ETHEKWINI REFUTING CLAIMS THAT THE CITY IS FUNDING AN OCEAN CRUISE BY MAYOR JAMES NXUMALO2016-03-03 Dear eThekwini Residents,
I would like to personally address the on-going misinformation regarding the inaugural maritime summit cruise conference. Let me put it on record that the cruise conference is a private sector initiative and is line with the municipality’s vision to unlock a range of opportunities in the ocean economy. In line with Operation Phakisa, eThekwini Municipality has partnered with the eThekwini Maritime Cluster to support such interventions that will create much needed jobs for our people. Recently, the city hosted an Edamame conference with the main session being held on Edamame Farm in Mariannhill. Having a maritime conference on a cruise is no different when it comes to providing on-site experience. The municipality refutes media reports that the city is footing the bill for 40 councillors as well as wasting ratepayers’ money to the tune of R160 000 for the cruise. This is simply not true. The facts are that: A report was tabled before the Economic Development and Planning Committee in 3 December 2015 seeking support for the city to host the maritime summit which was held on 24-26 February 2016. This was approved. Linked to the summit, is a maritime conference on a cruise ship to be held on 4-7 March 2016. This matter was recommended by the Economic Development and Planning Committee for inclusion in the Executive Committee Agenda for approval. The matter has not served in EXCO hence no councillors have registered to attend. The cruise conference will look at the background to the cruise industry and how it forms part of initiatives to transform the City into a Smart Port City as explored during the Summit. It will also look at critical issues such as the proposed new cruise terminal and how this will interface with Durban’s Point Waterfront; how the cruise industry is changing and what Durban needs to do to grow its cruise market share. There are no contradictions for the city doing a cost comparing for councillors to attend the conference as paying delegates. This is no different from councillors attending any conference, whether in eThekwini Municipality or any part of the country. There is no truth whatsoever in the accusation that the city is sending 40 councillors on a “gravy boat†and is “recklessly†spending ratepayers money. This is a clear smear campaign and cheap tactics to garner votes ahead of the local government elections. Furthermore, the claim that the city is in a state of “absolute dysfunction†is malicious. This is utterly irresponsible and totally misleading to you, the people of eThekwini, to whom we are accountable. Councillors, as elected public representatives, are responsible for policy making. It is therefore crucial for them to interact with relevant industry players and obtain best practice in order to make informed decisions for the greater good of eThekwini and benefit of its residents. The fact that our municipality achieved a clean audit in the previous financial year is a clear indication that public funds are in safe hands and ratepayers should rest assured that the decisions taken by Council are in your best interest. When a political party chooses to abstain from taking crucial decisions such as approving the budget for the city to function, and later criticize each and every genuine attempt by the ruling party to improve the lives of our people and empower them. You, eThekwini residents, must ask yourself in whose interest are they acting. I encourage all of you to visit your voting station on 5-6 March 2016 to register to vote. All councillors will be deployed to ensure a smooth voter registration process in eThekwini. Kind regards, CLLR JAMES NXUMALO MAYOR OF ETHEKWINI |
eThekwini Municipality - A PUBLIC LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF ETHEKWINI REFUTING CLAIMS THAT THE CITY IS FUNDING AN OCEAN CRUISE BY MAYOR JAMES NXUMALO
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