Turning Joburg around will take more than patching potholes, rewiring traffic lights: Morero

JOHANNESBURG - Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero said that turning the city around would take more than patching potholes and rewiring traffic lights.

Morero came under fire in March over the poor state of the city.

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The criticism against Morero was made worse by his admission that officials would prioritise service delivery to G20 routes, where global leaders are expected during South Africa’s year-long presidency.

The mayor was among delegates at the inaugural Gauteng Investment Conference on Thursday.

The dilapidated Johannesburg city centre attracted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s attention recently when he stepped in to speed up plans to fix Johannesburg.

He demanded clearer plans from the city’s administration on how Johannesburg could be returned to its high-profile status as the country’s economic engine.

In an attempt to woo investors, Morero said it's not just the city that’s on the mend but the entire Gauteng province.

"We are aligning with growth corridors, unlocking catalytic projects and fast-tracking approvals and clearing every roadblock in the way of investment. We are building a province that works for investors and for its people."

As part of Johannesburg’s 10-year infrastructure plan, Morero said roads, water, electricity, and sanitation projects would be top of the list.