GEAR forum powers community development
The major service delivery project that the forum embarked on was a full audit on 90 roads in the GEAR area.
“In the last four months we have achieved more than what was achieved by local council in recent years,” said Sam Prakash, deputy chairperson of Greenwood Park, Effingham, Avoca and Redhill (GEAR) forum at the first quarterly report on Saturday, 28 March. I know that this is a strong statement to make, but at the end of the day facts are facts,” he added.
The forum was officially launched on 22 November last year, as the community felt that they were not being effectively represented at a municipal, government or provincial level.
“Our aim is to create a better situation for all of the residents who reside within the GEAR area,” explained Prakash. Since the launch, the forum has been involved in a number of service delivery, humanitarian and social responsibility projects.
The major service delivery project that the forum embarked on was a full audit on 90 roads in the GEAR area.
“Two weeks were spent inspecting the road surfaces, pavements, street lights, verges and storm water drains to determine where repairs and maintenance was required.
“This audit was conducted by 15 executive members. A report was compiled and submitted to the relevant authorities,” he said.
Prakesh also added that all of the members of the forum spend their free time and own funds on the projects they undertake.
The forum is also in the process of reviewing the roads within, and providing access to, the GEAR area in terms of their safety, level of traffic congestion and accessibility.
“Development has had an impact on our roads, and with several schools in the area we want to assess the safety of the roads as well as their accessibility,” he said.
