THE installation of new underground electrical cables in Glenwood and Umbilo is on track and the construction company has assured residents the work should be completed by the end of November.
Councillor Mmabatho Tembe confirmed that CBI: Electric African Cables had been awarded a tender to lay the new electricity cables.
“Work on laying the new cables started at the beginning of the year as the old cables had reached their life span. Work is being undertaken between wards 101, 32 and 33 but the majority of the work is in ward 33,” said Tembe.
The project is being overseen by eThekwini Electricity which felt the need to upgrade the electricity supply to the area to ensure it is able to meet future load growth. The contractor is installing 132 000 vault underground high voltage cables in the area from Grosvenor to Dalton Roads. Excavation and installation of cables is being carried out in 11 430m sections. The company will complete all civil works by the end of September and has a further three sections to lay between Albert Dhlomo and Umbilo Road, and along ZK Mathews Road.
Tembe said she had received emails from residents who were unsure of what work was being undertaken, despite the fact that letters explaining the project had been given to residents two weeks prior to the contractor starting work on each section.
“I have also received complaints by residents regarding road islands which have been destroyed by trucks during construction. I have been assured by the contractor that they are aware of these issues, and that they compiled a snag list after completing each section, which addresses issues such as damaged kerbs. These will be reinstated after work has been finished,” she said.
If residents have any queries, they can call the contractor’s representative, Matshele Monnakgotla, on 082 800 8698, the project supervisor, Rodney Smith, on 031 579 4705 or 078 451 9497 or the eThekwini Electricity project manager, Ramesh Bhoola, on 031 311 9372 or 082 870 0010.
