Department of Development Planning MMC Reuben Masango engaged with Outdoor Advertising Unit within Building Development Directorate of the department, and was pleased by committed of officials who are delivering quality services to the residents of Johannesburg.
The MMC had to inspect the status quo of the unit, its role in the department and impact of its interaction with internal and external stakeholders.
“The kind of engagement is paramount and 2018-approved Outdoor Advertising by-law is currently subject to litigation which cannot be implemented. Pending the judgement, leaving the City to enforce the 2009 by-law in the intrim. The litigation process gave stakeholders an opportunity to take part, including judiciary and outline of negative impact litigation has on the City’s ability to deliver quality services to residents,” he said.
Masango said amongst the identified ways to address ultimate resolution contractual challenges without litigation, which is costly is to implement the Council approved Transitional Period strategy. He added that it allows the City to review outdoor advertising in order to improve compliance within the industry and prevent illegal advertising.
“Through the strategy, the City will be able to reduce clutter which is a result of illegal advertising signs on both land and Council. This will also improves optimal revenue flow that was lost before. Conducing working relationship with Johannesburg Property Company was acknowledged as for Outdoor Advertising Unit to have maximum productivity. It includes getting rid of contradictions existing in the approval of signs and contracts signing”, said Masango.
Internal stakeholders such as Johannesburg Roads Agency and City Power, took part on the intervention as they have input on application decision process.
Masango said the challenge is lack of resources, staff component shortage in the unit, effective working space and efficient operational systems. He added that management is addressing such challenges due to projected increase in workflow as a result of the transitional period strategy.
“Department’s initiate to start a single law enforcement unit, aimed at streamlining all compliance matters and enforcing the current prescribed by-laws. These assist in protecting general public from urban blight, clutter and deterioration of municipal assets caused by illegal erection of sigs.
We are calling for other stakeholders to work with Development Planning in order to achieve goal of building a better South Africa. We also want to turn Johannesburg into a city where all businesses can thrive and create job opportunities. This can be achieved through creating business-friendly environment where by-laws are being followed”, said Masango.
