Houghton resident complains about ailing state of the suburb
HOUGHTON – Resident ask where are their exorbitant rates and taxes being put to use.
A resident of Houghton Estate is questioning the ability of a local councillor accusing her of failing to address ailing infrastructure problems in the suburb.
The areas is part of Ward 73 in the City of Johannesburg and it is managed by Councillor Eleanor Huggett,
Dr Kevin Bakos, complained to the North Eastern Tribune about the ‘disgusting’ decays along 8th Street in Houghton claiming the conditions are appalling.
Bakos said the conditions of that road has been in a state of disrepair for the past 10 years and even though they report to the authorities nothing is being done.
“I am disgusted of the decay that has taken place around that area and after numerous complaints by our body corporate, falls on deaf ears,” Bakos complains.
“The corner property on 8th Street and pavements are littered, decayed, rat infested and vagrants using this empty derelict building site as a place to squat. There are no ablutions facilities there, so I hate to imagine the stench that must be hovering in there.”
He asks what the councillor is doing about this state of rot that is taking place in this once upmarket suburb.
“Why has she not seen this mess that has been around for a number of years now?
“Where are our exorbitant rates and taxes being put to use, and why the inaction of Eleanor Huggett in this matter?” ask Bakos.
In her response, Huggett claim that the building on 8th Street has been abandoned by the developer who ran out of funds.
She, however, acknowledges that there are massive challenges and further agrees that the decay has been going on for almost a decade.
She claims that budget is a huge problem and there are priorities regarding funding, she, however, said the current administration is doing all it can to correct the massive backlog.
“You are paying your rates and taxes and [you] do deserve to be looked after.
“…There will be funds so all rate payers can be looked after as they should be – as they have a right to be looked after with basic services and infrastructure,” said Huggett.
Details: Eleanor Huggett 071 785 8068.
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