R4-million available to complete Oriel rehabilitation

R4-million is available on the council’s budget for the rehabilitation of the Oriel Stream in the 2014/15 financial year.

This is according to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s (EMM) spokesperson, Mr Themba Gadebe, who also told the NEWS that the project was temporarily halted due to the lapsing of the contract with the previous contractor.

In the October 29 edition of the NEWS, residents living in the vicinity of Oriel Park accused the EMM of failing to account on the status quo of the project.

At the time, Ms Lesley McDonald said the residents were left in the dark after contractors packed up and left the site last year.

She said, “The project was due to finish in December 2013 and when that did not happen, we were the ones asking the municipality questions instead of them giving us updates as to what was going on.”

Sharing her sentiment was Mr Colin de Waal, who also expressed safety concerns stating that both he and Ms McDonald have had hijacking incidents while pulling into their driveways.

“The hijackers hid behind the rubble left by the contractors. Something which could have been avoided had the park been as clear as it used to be,” said Mr De Waal.

Mr Gadebe said, “The appointed consultant’s contract lapsed in June 2014 and with the late appointment of the new contractors, it was not possible to finish the project by June 2014. Therefore we are awaiting the new appointment of consultants which will happen shortly. Once the appointment of consultants is made, we will commence with the project.

The ward 20 councillor, Clr Jill Humphreys, will host a public meeting on Thursday, November 13, in an effort to address the matter.

Officials from the EMM will also be in attendance to address residents.

The meeting will take place at the Belgravia Bowling Club in Bedfordview and will start at 6pm.

Meanwhile, Ms Samantha Martin has called on the Public Protector’s office to look into the matter and for a forensic investigation to take place.