WITH a backlog of close to 10 000 faulty streetlights across the Metro, NMBM has intensified its streetlights maintenance project with additional teams repairing faulty and vandalized streetlights.
The intensified repair work started last week, with the three appointed contractors adding more teams to tackle the backlog.
NMBM Electricity and Energy Mayoral Committee Member, Cllr Lance Grootboom who conducted an oversight visit this week said the project was aimed at accelerating service delivery and reducing incidents where criminals take advantage of the darkness in some areas to attack residents.
“We have a total of 43 000 streetlights across the City, we have a backlog of plus-minus 10 000 and we have now added more teams to address the backlog. This is important work as this is our mandate as the Municipality to provide this service. We are approaching the winter season now when it becomes dark very early, and we want to ensure that we serve our communities. Some of these street lights have not been working for years.”
“Residents can expect to see our teams working in the affected areas. We are getting our City to work again and the streetlights need to work as crime prevails when these areas are dark. We are to ensure that our communities are safe and beautified, the backlog must be addressed daily. We have teams all over the City fixing lights,” said MMC Grootboom.
The MMC visited West End, Arcadia and Heath Park where teams were found progressing well with work.
Excited residents have welcomed the project saying it would make a difference and would make them feel safe again.
Resident Elize Jantjiessaid: “We are happy to finally have these lights fixed. Crime is a challenge in our community and to have the whole street without lights, during load shedding or not has been a challenge. No one feels safe being on the street during the evenings because you can be attacked easily without seeing any danger beforehand. We thank the Municipality and appeal to a sustainable solution to the vandalism and cable theft because sometimes the lights are not faulty as such, but they have been stripped.”
Residents are urged to report cases of vandalism on 0800 20 5050.
- Info from Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Communications Office.
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