Streetlights continue to be a concern for residents
Streetlight repairs and maintenance backlog are getting attention according to CoE
Editor – The response from the metro regarding streetlights is not quite true if we look at Castleview, Dinwiddie and Albemarle as examples.
The streetlights that are not working are not due to vandalism, it’s due to the lack of will power and interest by the metro. I would imagine that this applies to many more suburbs. I agree there will be areas that are vandalised. I have reported the street lights constantly in Castleview to the metro via the CoE app from November 2020, with nothing done.
We all know that the metro hides behind Covid-19 because is so easy. This is the excuse constantly given, but most people realise poor management within the metro is the leading cause for the lack of fixing the lights. The quality of the metro management and workmanship of the street light department leaves a lot to be desired. As they say ‘if a job is worth doing, do it correctly the first time’, but this does not apply in Ekurhuleni.
ALSO READ: Man charged with murder after couple dies from fire
It would be interesting to see what their repair standards are and who evaluates it. If a contractor is appointed, what criteria is used? Who checks the quality of workmanship before payment? And what call back is asked for by the metro? I would imagine these type of questions would not be considered, I will say no more as to this.
Barry Taylor
(Letter Edited)
Editor’s commentÂ
The City of Ekurhuleni stated the following in a press statement:
The City of Ekurhuleni has started to reduce the backlog on streetlight complaints since the lockdown restrictions were adjusted to level one early this year. The streetlight complaints backlog developed due to the strict control of the number of staff at the workplace imposed at the various stages of the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions since March 27, 2020.
The City had resumed fixing of streetlights when the restrictions were relaxed to lower levels but the situation was compounded when the country was placed again on level three lockdown late in December 2020, which impacted the fixing of streetlights.
The City constantly assess the safety and wellbeing of employees during the pandemic against the provision of service delivery to our customers in line with its duty of care. Due to the reduced staff numbers under lockdown levels five and two to comply with the regulations promulgated under the Disaster Management Act, 2002, only skeleton staff was available, focusing on attending to electricity outages to customers, streetlights were not prioritized.
The City has since appointed contractors during April to complement the City officials with streetlight maintenance and repairs. Due to budget constraints and a huge backlog in complaints, it is anticipated that the backlog may persist into the new 2021/2 financial year commencing on July 2021.
This is provided that the country remains on current lockdown level one or move to a lower relaxation of lockdown restrictions.
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,  or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.
