Asbestos roof project to undergo third assessment
Officials expressed dissatisfaction at the slow pace that the project was moving
There was a sense of disappointment among Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality officials when an update about the asbestos roof removal project was given at a community meeting held on April 18.
Representatives from the Human Settlements Department, as well as the contractor (Gudunkomo Investment & Trading), met with municipal representatives and some community members at Forderville Hall.
The meeting, which began an hour late, was to update the public about the steps to be taken in the Colita / Forderville Pre-94 Rectification Project, which will see the removal of dangerous asbestos roofing from 352 homes, as well as the replacement of the roofs.
Thulani Bhengu from the department explained that the project was taken over from the municipality last year.
He said the next step would be an assessment of each of the homes by the contractor. Mr Bhengu indicated that the assessments would begin last week.
Criticism
This was met by criticism and disappointment from municipal officials.
Ward 10 Councillor Edith Lite accused the department of making the community ‘stupids’, saying that they have been ‘played for far too long’.
Cllr Lite substantiated this by explaining that the project has undergone two assessments thus far.
“How many assessments need to be done before this project begins? Will the assessments be paid for from the R38 million set aside for the project? Will there be job opportunities created for locals?” she questioned.
These sentiments were echoed by Mayor Mduduzi Myezi and Acting Municipal Manager Zakhona Ndlela.
Assessments are ‘time bound’
Mr Bhengu replied that the assessments are ‘time bound’ and therefore a new assessment is required, adding that the project will be paid for by the department and not from the coffers of the local municipality.
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Mr Nxumalo from Gudunkomo Investment & Trading, which is a civil and structural engineering company with offices in Ladysmith and Pietermaritzburg, briefly explained that the assessment reports would include the challenges that are noted in each household and would be completed within six weeks.
He added that the report, which would be complete by the end of June, would contain ‘fresh’ information that covers all issues related to the removal and replacement of roofs in Colita and Forderville.
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