Council addresses service delivery complaints

The city addressed some of the problems highlighted by a Bruma resident, which were brought to its attention by an article in the EXPRESS last week.

Ms Valda Gossmann, from the Bruma Residents Association, has been complaining about the lack of service delivery in the suburb for months. Every month she compiles a list of problems that require council’s attention. Only a few are attended to.

“With a few exceptions, like City Parks, the lack of accountability seems to be a general problem within the City of Johannesburg (CoJ).

“In the December 2013 monthly report, I reported that vagrants were stripping the steel from electric pylons. This problem was resolved immediately by covering the base of the pylons with barbed wire. Well done to City Power for responding with the urgency required to prevent a potentially dangerous situation from occurring. If only the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and City Power could react this quickly every time.

“This success was short-lived as the traffic lights at the corner of Ernest Oppenheimer Avenue and Marcia Street were out since December 12. City Power deployed people to fix the power problem. However, it is almost a month later and the traffic lights are still not working,” said Ms Gossmann.

She added that roads in the business district and residential area are in a terrible condition. She also raised concerns about the rubbish being dumped in Bruma.

Her list of concerns that were reported to council included illegal, informal trading and illegal building.

Two days after the EXPRESS forwarded an enquiry to the city, Mr Nthatisi Modingoane, a spokesperson for the CoJ, said a Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) team was sent to fill potholes in Bruma.

When asked about the quality of workmanship, considering that several potholes continuously reappear, Mr Modingoane said, “Milling chips are a temporary solution used when asphalt is unavailable. However, now that the asphalt plant has reopened all these areas will be filled.”

The JRA also appointed a contractor to upgrade the traffic signal at the corner of Marcia Street and Ernest Oppenheimer Avenue. According to Mr Modingoane, the work was to be completed by the end of last week.

“All efforts are in place to remove the bags dumped by some residents and shop owners next to concrete bins and street corners. The Pikitup Norwood depot reviewed the cleaning schedule and will be servicing the areas in question on a daily basis.

“Pikitup will embark on a drive to distribute pamphlets throughout the region to inform residents about what items should be put into the 240 litre bins on collection days,” said Mr Modingoane.

Pikitup will also inform people to stop putting out refuse bags before and after collection days as this causes illegal dumping to worsen.

“Illegal trading brings with it a number of challenges wherever is takes place in the city. These include congestion, crime, grime, littering and the general breakdown of other services, including the blocking of storm water channels and water leaks. The CoJ reiterates its commitment to the development of the informal trading sector by creating viable trading spaces to ensure that Johannesburg becomes a liveable city. The city, together with traders, has already started with a process of proclaiming and de-proclaiming trading areas in and around the inner city,” said Mr Modingoane.

The JRA urges people to report specific streets names where potholes appear as well as road and storm water problems to 0860 562 874. Alternatively, residents can e-mail hotline@jra.org.za or tweet @MyJra.