Relief for Eureka suburb as big fix-up starts

After years of pleading and signing petitions for basic service delivery, residents from East London’s “forgotten” suburb of Eureka have finally received attention and seen construction work commence.

Hundreds of ratepayers from the area have been up in arms for more than 10 years complaining about neglect when it came to service delivery.

Appalling gravel roads, non-functioning street lights and using septic tanks were some of the main challenges the residents had complained about.

The Dispatch reported in 2012 and again in 2014 how the residents’ grievances fell on deaf ears at the Buffalo City Metro.

However, since the construction of the road commenced last month, residents said they were now singing a different tune.

Resident Louisa Jordaan said: “There had been a lot of petitions signed by residents but for more than 15 years nothing had happened.

The suburb lies on the outskirts of East London on the N2, bordering farmland near Johnson & Johnson.

Jordaan, who said she was the new chairwoman of the community committee, said the street lights had been fixed.

“They are now constructing the road and storm-water drainage.

“We will have a tarred road and the days of muddy roads will soon be over.”

Local business owners and unemployed residents from the area have also been employed on the projects.

Ward councillor Landile Vika said the gravel roads in the community needed upgrading. However, the metro’s infrastructure department had started with the first phase of the project.

Residents said the metro needed to also address the outcry about businesses operating in a residential area.