Residents living in the vicinity of Oriel Park have accused the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) of being unable to complete the rehabilitation project.
Relief as contractors return to Oriel
Last year, the EMM said it had made R4-million available for the completion of the project in the 2014/15 financial year.
At the time, the EMM’s spokesperson Mr Themba Gadebe, said the project was temporarily halted due to the lapsing of the contract with the previous contractor.
Oriel Park flooding caught on video
This week residents questioned why the new contractors, who were subsequently appointed, did not complete the job.
“We have seen the coming and going of many contractors, but none of them managed to finish the work. It is frustrating for us. We just want to see the park restored. It has been too long and this is unacceptable,” said one resident.
Another resident, who did not want to be named, expressed concern over the state of both the park and that of the stream.
“I understand that the landscaper whose responsibility it was to beautify this space, is no longer here as his contract expired at the end of October. Since the heavy rains, the weeds have grown. Can council clarify when a new contractor will be appointed?” asked the resident.
Ward 20 councillor, Clr Jill Humphreys, said the project is beyond a disgrace.
“I recently wrote to the executive mayor, Clr Mzwandile Masina, and expressed concern over this,” said Clr Humphreys.
Clr Humphreys talks service delivery
In her letter, she said the apparent inability of the Roads and Stormwater Department to complete the project is a sad testament to the gross negligence and fruitless and wasteful expenditure continuing unabated.
“The result is a once-beautiful park that is now a wasteland of weeds, dying trees, unrehabilitated work sites and dump material left behind by another project. My mails go unanswered, there are no meetings, no discussion on what is being done or not being done. Also, the two roads adjacent to the park (Lynwood and Homestead roads) are both raging torrents every time it rains. What does that say about the effectiveness of this project? The whole point was to manage the water away from the residences. Clearly, that is not happening. The stormwater cannot access this multi-million rand scheme. What is the point? Also, when it rains, Nettleton Road floods because the inlets from the adjacent roads are at the wrong angle and force the stream flow over the bridge and onto the road,” said Clr Humphreys.
The NEWS sent a request for comment from the mayor’s office, as well as from the EMM spokesperson Mr Gadebe, on November 25 and requested comment by November 28 at 10am. No comment has been received.
