Ladysmith KZN: Mayor introduces contractors to undertake water projects

uThukela District Mayor Siphiwe Mazibuko – accompanied by chairperson of Water, Sanitation & Technical Services Cllr S Dlungwane, Ward Cllr Vilakazi and a team of officials – paid a visit to the Langkloof area under Okhahlamba Municipality on Thursday morning (August 26).

The purpose of the visit was to introduce a contractor for the Langkloof Plant upgrade, rising main, storage tank and reticulation network to yard connections.

The objective is to provide adequate and sustainable water supply to meet the existing and future demand within the area through the refurbishment, upgrading and construction of infrastructure.

When completed, this project will serve approximately 700 households in the area and will also create about 38 temporary job opportunities for locals.

The project is envisaged to take up to 24 months to complete. It has been awarded to two private companies, namely Amangqamgqeshe and TLS Engineering. The source of funding is the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), which has been made available by CoGTA. “As we bring this project here, we also aim to bring potable water to the community and today we are here to introduce contractors who are ready to start working soon,” said Mayor Mazibuko.

The mayor also enlightened the audience that had gathered about the new smart meter system which the municipality is intending to roll out. “With the smart meters, the consumer will be able to know and manage their water consumption, and also manage their bill. This will assist people in knowing when there is a leak in the household,” he explained.

The mayor then emphasised the importance of empowering local businesses and said that anyone who does business with the government, by law, must be on the database. He further called on the community to protect the infrastructure and report acts of vandalism, while challenging them to be part of a lasting solution and saying that the participation of the community is central to the success of the project.

By midday, the team headed out to Ward 11 in Bergville and were joined by Ward Cllr Sgubudu to introduce contractors who will be undertaking the construction of the water treatment works upgrade. When completed, the scheme will serve more than 5000 households in the area. The project will also create about 60 temporary jobs for locals. It is envisaged to take about 18 months to complete.

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The community and ward councillors expressed their gratitude that uThukela District is making progress in the area to improve their lives by tackling water shortages. The residents said they are happy to now have piped water into their yards.

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