Makana Municipality and Eskom have called on Ethembeni residents to assist in combating theft during a project meant to provide electricity to hundreds of homes in the area.
Makana Municipality and Eskom have called on Ethembeni residents to assist in combating theft during a project meant to provide electricity to hundreds of homes in the area.
This comes after diesel was stolen from a construction vehicle just a few days after the contractor that had been appointed to connect power to the homes had arrived on the site.
Ward 11 councillor Mncedisi Gojela called a meeting to present the contractor to the people of Ethembeni on Tuesday evening. Baymont Field Services from Johannesburg was appointed and they were formally introduced to residents at the meeting.
The project is expected to be finished in as little as two months, according to Eskom.
Speaking at the meeting, Makana Municipality executive mayor Zamuxolo Peter said the decision to bring the construction site close to the houses was no mistake.
"We had thought of putting it far away from the houses, but we then decided against that idea, because we thought it would be exposed to thieves," he said.
Peter urged residents to look after the material at the site and protect it from criminals.
"Diesel was stolen from the big truck already. I have come to plead with you not to allow people to steal things here, when all we are trying to do is provide services here," he said.
Peter urged residents not to buy stolen goods.
Representing Eskom at the meeting, Nomfundo Gonya told the residents that the number of houses approved for connection was 247. She told the residents not to despair if they were under the impression there are more houses than the number approved.
Gonya said they would do their best to ensure that everybody was connected. "If there are a few houses that are not connected after we have done connecting the 247 houses, they mustn't worry – they won't be left behind," she said.
Gonya said Eskom had given the contractor two months to finish the project. Addressing the issue of employment, Gonya said she was aware residents expected job opportunities whenever there was a project in their area. She said they would start by employing 10 people as casual workers in the project.
The appointments would be made through a steering committee which must be appointed by Gojela by next week. Gonya said the residents could approach that steering committee to report any problems during construction.
She cautioned people not to commit to the steering committee in a bid to secure employment for themselves.
"The steering committee is there to provide solutions. We don't want people who will gang up with the community against us," she said.
People who are looking to be employed in the project must be physically fit, according to Gonya, and there should be a balance of men and women.
Gonya said the electricity they are providing for government projects such as the one in Ethembeni were meant to provide basic electrical needs. "If people have more items to use, they are welcome to upgrade, but they would need to pay for the upgrade themselves," she said.
She said if there was a church or a school in which they were installing electricity they would connect those without any added costs.
Gonya echoed Peter's words as she asked the community to ensure there was no theft of material during construction.
"If things are stolen, that will affect you, the people of this area, and the work that needs to be done in the project."
Residents were urged to work with the contractor, but not disturb them.
"The fact that the construction site is near the houses does not give you access to it. You must liaise with them through the steering committee," Gonya said.
She cautioned local business people against lending money or anything to the workers the contractor brings in.
"Don't give them credit. They get paid, they must use their own cash," Gonya said.
Gonya urged community members to report the contractor if they leave open holes. Gojela expressed joy at the progress made by all involved. Gojela said he would call another meeting on Sunday to elect the steering committee.
"I don't want to waste any time, the meeting will be on Sunday. The contractor wants to start the project on September 1," he said.
anele@grocotts.co.za
