For many residents load shedding has become an almost natural occurrence, albeit an unacceptable one.
Adding fuel to the public’s fire of disdain for this practice is the fact that we constantly are bombarded with warnings and threats to save energy. The public is expected to cut use at the most inconvenient times, usually between 5pm and 9pm. Many a good citizen begrudgingly comply with these demands. Therefore it is no surprise when residents express their dismay when they see the City’s wastage of electricity with for example street lights burning night and day.
It was brought to the record’s attention recently that the lights in the Civic Centre on Christiaan de Wet Road are burning at night when seemingly there are no or very little activity at Region C’s headquarters. It is understandable that the adjacent theatre and restaurant’s lights would be on at night but on investigation it was clear that most of the office lights also burn at night. It would not be unfair for the public to ask why it is good for the goose to save electricity but not for the gander.
The Civic Centre’s operational management falls under the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) and the record spoke to the Civic Centre’s building operations manager Dheeran Ramdhari.
According to Ramdhari the main reason for the lights being on at night is security.
“At night there is limited security patrolling the building and the lights being on assists them when they patrol,” says Ramdhari.
“We also find that currently there is not one central switch to switch the lights on and off, which makes it difficult for patrollers to regulate it; but we will centralise it soon.
“It must also be taken into consideration that the building serves as the headquarters of Region C and that it houses the director and other important staff who often have to work late and have meetings after hours. Their safety is of utmost importance,” explained Ramdhari.
It was suggested to Ramdhari that regardless of this it should be considered to switch off the majority of lights at midnight at least since it is doubtful that any staff would still be working then.
The record has tried to obtain an estimate of the average monthly electricity bill of the Civic Centre but has not received any feedback by the time of going to press.
