Jozi wired for the future

The City of Johannesburg is expected to increase its capital expenditure to nearly R11-billion, with more money to be spent on green projects, transport, road infrastructure and internet access.

In his state of the city address in Soweto yesterday, mayor Parks Tau said capital expenditure would reach R10.9-billion in the new financial year.

Tau said the city had successfully redeemed R1.9-billion since its introduction of municipal bonds.

There were also plans to introduce green bonds to enable the council to fund its green projects.

Tau said the city would roll out 1000 free Wi-Fi spots by the end of 2016.

He unveiled new Wi-Fi centres at the Orlando Communal Hall and Orlando Stadium, saying another 10 had also gone live at 10 other spots yesterday, including Park Station, Noordgesig, Joburg Theatre and Carlton Centre.

The city has spent R1-billion on the rollout of its broadband network.

Thirty-five libraries will be connected by June and another 85 by the end of the year .

About 1000 students will be trained a year on the city's information communication and technology operations so they could introduce technology to communities. This will ensure that residents benefit from the rollout of the Wi-Fi.

The city is also going ahead with its plans to extend its Rea Vaya rapid bus transit system to Louis Botha Avenue. This will entail the building of 10 new bus stations and an underground exchange along the 16km route.

A new transport hub will be built in Sandton to achieve integration between the Gautrain, Rea Vaya and taxis.

A 5.2km cycling lane will be built to connect Alexandra and Sandton.

To encourage healthy lifestyles, Tau said the city would by the end of September encourage restaurants and other food companies to sign a nutrition pledge.

"We are also developing biogas-to-energy plants at our waste water treatment plant to mitigate against climate change and reduce energy costs. In November last year, we commissioned the first plant in the Northern Works waste water site. The second, at Driefontein Works, will be operational by May," he said.