According to the Ekurhuleni metro all hyacinth in affected lakes and dams in Benoni will be removed by May.
Divisional head of communication and media relations for the metro Nhlanhla Cebekhulu said the metro has been removing hyancith from four dams in Benoni for the last few years.
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Sub-contractor claims success with hyacinth removal
“All the dams – Homestead, Middle, Civic and Kleinfontein – are infested with hyacinth and water lilies, to a lesser extent.
“Currently, there is extensive removal work being undertaken at the Kleinfontein Dam, which was started in November last year. “Based on the progress being made, we envisage that work will be completed by May.
“Similarly, hyacinth removal resumed at Middle Lake on January 16 and should be completed by the end of June.”
The City Times previously reported that a contractor, MT Business and Networks, was also being used to remove hyacinth. Through a sub-contractor they had appointed, Dredging Africa, they are successful.
Dredging Africa, in media release, recently stated its ‘Happy Hippo’ machine was being used to remove hyacinth at lakes and dams, including Kleinfontein, but the City Times has visited Middle Lake, Kleinfontein and Homestead dams, and found only the metro’s Watermaster, currently at Middle Lake, removing the alien species plant. Kleinfontein remains affected, with Dredging Africa claiming they removed a significant amount of the plant from the dam over the festive season.
The City Times contacted the metro for further details pertaining to MT Business and Networks. Cebekhulu responded with the following: “MT Business and Networks is a company involved in various hydrological projects and we can confirm that it successfully implemented hyacinth removal projects at President Dam and Murray Park in Springs.
“The company submitted a bid for the maintenance of lakes and dams in Ekurhuleni.
“We can further affirm that Dredging Africa was sub-contracted due to the efficiency and availability of their equipment.
“The scope of the appointment is about aquatic alien invasive species, litter as well as meeting the bioremediation needs of the metro.
“The contract is on an as-and-when basis and is dependent on budget availability.
“Work orders are created for necessary work to be undertaken.
“Kleinfontein is the first dam in Benoni that the company is working on.”
When asked about the cost and duration of the contract, Cebekhulu said MT Business and Networks has been appointed on an as-and-when basis and not on a fixed contract.
The company was appointed after an open tender process was concluded in August 2017.
The duration of their contract with the metro is 18 months. Cebekhulu added that about eight workers are responsible for hyacinth removal and that an additional number of additional number of expanded public works programme workers are also part of the project.
No comment was offered regarding the cost of the contract.
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