City praised for rapid response to blocked sewer

UMBILO Business Forum (UBF) has praised the quick action by the municipality in responding to a report of a blocked sewer outside Dalton Hostel on Thursday, 18 May.

Members of the UBF noticed sewage was flowing onto the pavement outside Dalton Hostel and contacted Eurakha Singh from South Durban Basin Area Based Management to have the area cleaned up and the issue seen to and raising concerns about the health hazard it posed.

“We reported it to the municipality and by Saturday the blockage had been pumped and the area cleaned up. We had a report back meeting with Steve Thusi from Dalton Hostel on Monday and we were informed the blockage is clear,” said Ian Campbell-Gillies from UBF.

He said the UBF had been asked by Thusi earlier this month to assist with dysfunctional toilet and shower facilities at the Dalton beerhall, however he said various social and logistical problems had been encountered in response to this.

“The problems have not yet been resolved by the forum, however we are prepared to assist with the project when called upon to do so. The forum is involved in community work to bridge the divide between business and the jobless community. We are undertaking many small linked projects aimed at economic upliftment, in partnership with municipal departments,” he said.