‘Operation Patch Pothole’ and fixing street lights going ahead in Endumeni
Residents said they welcomed the work done to uplift the municipal area but called on the Council to give local businesses priority when tenders are called for.
The Endumeni Municipality’s much-publicised vow to rid the area of potholes is seeing results.
Mayor Ndlovu last month launched the ‘war’ by announcing that a tender of more than R500 000 had been awarded to a local company to tackle over 250 potholes that have angered motorists in recent months.
He also unveiled new machinery used to repair roads.
There has also been a commitment to repair hundreds of broken street lights in Dundee, Glencoe and Wasbank and residents have reported to the Courier that ‘some progress is being made’ with Union Street resident, Wayne Honiball, saying the street light outside of his home is working again after ’20 years’.
Yet, the ‘service delivery operations’ (before the May 29 general election) have been met with disquiet from some residents who have criticised the Municipality for farming the work to outside contractors.
It is understood that a Ladysmith company won the tender to install LED lights on street lamps despite local companies also putting in tenders.
One businessperson (who declined to be named) who spoke to the Courier said: “We have more than enough qualified people in our Endumeni district. It is time we support them. Where are the days when locals support each other? We need to go back to that. We all need each other.”
The Municipality’s response will be published when received. Some have also complained about the road repair work ‘being below standard’ but the local contractor, who spoke to the Courier, said all the work was being monitored and that he was happy to respond to any concerns.
Tandy, upper Victoria and lower Tatham Street residents said they have been waiting ‘for over three years to have many street lights repairs’ as have Browning Street residents near the Hindu Temple.
The work to fix the street light is continuing and the municipality will update the Courier on how the ‘operation’ progresses.
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