HUNDREDS of residents from Bhongweni in Buffalo City Metro were jubilant yesterday after officials assured them their problems were receiving attention.
Residents of the informal settlement near the East London airport had been complaining about service delivery issues for more than 10 years.
They have called on government and Eskom for help, but to no avail – until yesterday.
Executive mayor Zukiswa Ncitha visited the community with a throng of officials from the metro, Eskom and the health department.
Ncitha said assisting Bhongweni residents would be a huge task as the land they occupied belonged to the public works department and was not conducive for building homes.
“If it was ours, we would have given a go-ahead for development a long time ago. But today I’ve all stakeholders to answer to your questions,” said Ncitha.
Community leader Nonkosi Ntloko would not comment, saying she had no mandate.
Resident Nomonde Tyando said: “We are welcoming this by the mayor, it shows that they care for us.”
For years, residents have been complaining about shortages of running water, sanitation and electricity. Only a few taps were installed in the community of about 5000 residents while there were no toilets.
Electricity was only available to those who could afford to pay for conventional electricity at Eskom.
“Another issue that you always talk about is a clinic and officials are also here to help you with answers on that,” said Ncitha.
Responding to issues, BCM officials said gravel roads between the informal settlements would be fixed this week while toilets would be delivered to the community soon.
“There are forms that will be issued to be filled in by residents in order for the sanitation department to know how many people are in need. On the water issue, the taps here will be checked and if needs be, more will be installed,” said councillor Mthetheleli Sam.
Residents also complained that Eskom only connected a few houses, which caused fights. Resident Zoleka Ngubo said all residents should have access to electricity.
Eskom spokeswoman Ntosh Mafumbatha said they would no longer work in the area until there were approved formal plans. “After the planning has been received from the municipality, then Eskom will come and connect all the residents.
“The challenge now is with the municipality. Otherwise, once everything is approved for us, we are moving in,” said Mafumbatha. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Residents happy with BCM, Eskom and health visit
Residents of the informal settlement near the East London airport had been complaining about service delivery issues for more than 10 years.
They have called on government and Eskom for help, but to no avail – until yesterday.
Executive mayor Zukiswa Ncitha visited the community with a throng of officials from the metro, Eskom and the health department.
Ncitha said assisting Bhongweni residents would be a huge task as the land they occupied belonged to the public works department and was not conducive for building homes.
“If it was ours, we would have given a go-ahead for development a long time ago. But today I’ve all stakeholders to answer to your questions,” said Ncitha.
Community leader Nonkosi Ntloko would not comment, saying she had no mandate.
Resident Nomonde Tyando said: “We are welcoming this by the mayor, it shows that they care for us.”
For years, residents have been complaining about shortages of running water, sanitation and electricity. Only a few taps were installed in the community of about 5000 residents while there were no toilets.
Electricity was only available to those who could afford to pay for conventional electricity at Eskom.
“Another issue that you always talk about is a clinic and officials are also here to help you with answers on that,” said Ncitha.
Responding to issues, BCM officials said gravel roads between the informal settlements would be fixed this week while toilets would be delivered to the community soon.
“There are forms that will be issued to be filled in by residents in order for the sanitation department to know how many people are in need. On the water issue, the taps here will be checked and if needs be, more will be installed,” said councillor Mthetheleli Sam.
Residents also complained that Eskom only connected a few houses, which caused fights. Resident Zoleka Ngubo said all residents should have access to electricity.
Eskom spokeswoman Ntosh Mafumbatha said they would no longer work in the area until there were approved formal plans. “After the planning has been received from the municipality, then Eskom will come and connect all the residents.
“The challenge now is with the municipality. Otherwise, once everything is approved for us, we are moving in,” said Mafumbatha. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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