Three years after Tebogo Molefe’s (Nigel Customer Care Centre manager at the time) site visit, little to no improvement can be seen.
Whereas some efforts have been made by Nigel Town Council over the years to repair and improve the general state of the canal, it is now completely overgrown and run-down.
“A lack of maintenance to the town’s waterways and stormwater channels by the Department of Water, Sanitation and Energy is exposing vulnerable residents to all kinds of danger like flooding and mosquito infestation,” DA councillor Wollaston Labuschagne said.
According to Labuschagne, the recently approved financial budget of R12 million (over three years) will not nearly be sufficient for the extent of work required to repair the entire canal section.
“Ordinary cleaning and minor repairs can no longer rehabilitate the canal. The CoE will have to budget for major repairs and reconstruction of certain portions. This is why I have added the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the canal to the five IDP priorities for Ward 88 during the latest IDP review,” Labuschagne explained.
As summer sets in and storm clouds start to gather, Nigelites residing alongside the banks of the canal and more specifically residents from Eeufees Park Retirement Village once again fear the possibility of flooding and infrastructure damage.
It also seems the future of the canal may be in jeopardy and one cannot help but wonder if the canal was to be obliterated, how it will affect and alter the town’s image.
