Africa's biggest development bank just handed Johannesburg a massive cash boost worth 139 million dollars. The money will fix up the broken city before world leaders arrive for the G20 meeting later this year. Bank officials picked one hundred special projects to repair water pipes, electrical systems, and garbage collection services. This marks the first time the African Development Bank has given money directly to a city rather than a whole country. Johannesburg desperately needs the help after years of poor management left the place falling apart.
The city of gold has serious problems that embarrass South Africa's government. Water leaks waste nearly half of all supplies that flow through old pipes underneath the streets. Electricity disappears at alarming rates with thirty percent vanishing before reaching homes and businesses. Garbage piles up on sidewalks creating health hazards for millions of residents living there. Roads have deep cracks and holes that damage cars every single day.
President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly scolded city leaders for letting things deteriorate to such awful levels. He wants Johannesburg looking perfect when important visitors come for the global summit meeting. The city brings in sixteen percent of South Africa's total economic output despite all its current troubles. Bank director Kennedy Mbekeani believes fixing the infrastructure will boost growth across the entire continent. Other major loans worth hundreds of millions more went to South Africa this same week from different international lenders.
The city of gold has serious problems that embarrass South Africa's government. Water leaks waste nearly half of all supplies that flow through old pipes underneath the streets. Electricity disappears at alarming rates with thirty percent vanishing before reaching homes and businesses. Garbage piles up on sidewalks creating health hazards for millions of residents living there. Roads have deep cracks and holes that damage cars every single day.
President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly scolded city leaders for letting things deteriorate to such awful levels. He wants Johannesburg looking perfect when important visitors come for the global summit meeting. The city brings in sixteen percent of South Africa's total economic output despite all its current troubles. Bank director Kennedy Mbekeani believes fixing the infrastructure will boost growth across the entire continent. Other major loans worth hundreds of millions more went to South Africa this same week from different international lenders.
