Presenting the Adjustment Budget at a Full Council meeting on Thursday, 5 March 2026 the Executive Mayor Councillor Babalwa Lobishe said the Metro’s continued investment in water infrastructure demonstrates a clear and deliberate commitment to achieving long-term water security for the City.

Water Infrastructure Allocations

The water budget will be directed to the following key projects:

Purchase of new fleet for Water Services – R12,481,250

Borehole exploration and development – R165,217,390

Construction of the Motherwell to Bethelsdorp pipeline – R173,913,040

Renewal of bulk water pipelines – R13,080,770

Purchase and installation of water meters – R37,000,000

Rehabilitation of pump stations – R40,600,000

Renewal of water distribution pipelines – R40,146,900

Since the seven-year drought that severely affected Nelson Mandela Bay and ended two years ago, the Metro has intensified investment in water-related infrastructure. This sustained investment continues to benefit residents while strengthening the City’s economic resilience.

"This is a continuation of the work that we have been doing. We will now see acceleration in response to the President’s call for metros to prioritise water provision as one of the key economic drivers,” said Executive Mayor Lobishe.

Electricity Infrastructure Strengthened

The Metro continues to face electricity challenges linked to vandalism, illegal connections, and ageing infrastructure. Through the Adjustment Budget, the following allocations have been approved:

Coega reinforcement – R22,500,000

Miscellaneous mains and substations – R23,000,000

Bulk supply and establishment of a new substation in Booysens Park and Joe Slovo – R55,698,570

Construction of a 22kV feeder to Motherwell NU30 (Ward 54) – R6,956,570

Refurbishment of power transformers – R14,445,000

Electrification of informal areas – R49,217,390

Public lighting, including retrofitting of lights – R10,000,000

132kV overhead line refurbishment (Chatty, Bloemendal and Rowallan Park) – R7,994,940

MV line refurbishment – R6,300,000

The Executive Mayor emphasised that prioritising electricity infrastructure aligns with the Metro’s ambition to position itself as an investment destination of choice.

"For us to be a major economic player within the country and the Southern African region, we must ensure a stable electricity distribution network that supports both local economic growth and foreign direct investment. As we continue improving our internal systems, particularly supply chain management, every cent must count,” said Executive Mayor Lobishe.

The Adjustment Budget was tabled and approved in line with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), particularly Section 28, which allows a municipality to revise an approved annual budget through an adjustments budget under prescribed circumstances.

The process further complies with the Municipal Structures Act and the Municipal Systems Act, which collectively provide the governance framework for municipal planning, budgeting, and service delivery responsibilities within a Metropolitan Municipality.

In addition, the preparation and approval of the Adjustment Budget adhere to the Municipal Budget and Reporting Regulations, ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment between expenditure and implementation capacity.

The adjustment process focused on shifting funds to projects already underway and those where supply chain processes have been concluded, ensuring improved spending performance and immediate impact.

Presenting the detail of the budget, Chief Financial Officer Jackson Ngcelwane said the consolidation of the Adjustment Budget was inclusive, frank, and results-driven.

"We need to improve our spending patterns. Funds must go where they can be utilised immediately to create tangible impact. At management level, with guidance from political leadership, we have brought an adjusted budget to Council that responds to urgency and implementation readiness,” said CFO Ngcelwane.

Despite competing priorities ranging from infrastructure and economic development to social services and internal operational demands, the Adjustment Budget deliberately prioritises catalytic infrastructure projects.

The Adjustment Budget was approved by the majority of Councillors.