The Makana Municipality has been granted a R75 million rescue package to solve the area’s water and sanitation crisis.

The rescue package was granted by the Eastern Cape Government and administered through the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC).

The money has been stipulated for use in water and sanitation infrastructure and must be spent or committed to urgent projects before the end of June. Makana Executive Mayor Zamuxolo Peter has asked Makana Municipality’s directors to account for every cent of the grant money.

A Social Infrastructure section was set up at ECDC at the end of last year to assist district and local municipalities in ensuring the functionality of infrastructure as well as setting up proper maintenance plans.

ECDC Executive Manager for Social Infrastructure Graham Cowley attended a special council meeting addressing the matter this week. He is heading the ECDC intervention to help Makana with its infrastructure issues.“Water is life and sanitation is dignity – that is our belief,” he said.