Residents encouraged to log issues and have them escalated
CRAIGHALL – Williams said that under the new multi-party administration there have been some improvements in communication but they still have a way to go.
Ward 90 councillor Martin Williams says the main issues in his ward include displaced people, the condition of the roads and levels of service from entities such as Joburg Water and City Power.
He believes communication from all entities needs to improve. Williams said residents need to be kept in the loop with information relating to the cause, likely duration and information concerning what is being done to resolve the issue.
“Such a culture needs to become ingrained in every department of every entity. Many of these entities evolved before the days of WhatsApp and other forms of rapid communication. There hasn’t been a culture of communication,” said Williams.
He explained that councillors are on various WhatsApp groups with entities including City Power, Joburg Water, Johannesburg Roads Agency, Metro police etc. “We can escalate issues that residents have logged and reported to us in the required detail. As we request feedback, which has not been as forthcoming as it could be. This leads to frustration for councillors and residents.”
Williams said that under the new multi-party administration there have been some improvements in communication but they still have a way to go. “Apart from communication, we also need to see more of the work actually being done. Potholes fixed, grass cut, pavements skoffelled and (this is a big one) excavations backfilled and reinstated.”
He said that members of the new mayoral committee from various parties have the energy, enthusiasm and ability to make a big difference. “The biggest boost will come after July when the new team will be working with its own budget rather than an adjusted budget from the previous term.”
Concerning the matter of displaced people, Williams said there are several community leaders seeking workable solutions. Meetings were reportedly held with Dr Mpho Phalatse before she was elected mayor.
Williams encouraged residents to become more involved in their neighbourhood by joining their suburb’s residents association, becoming a street rep or standing for election to the ward committee. Nominations for the ward committee open on January 20 and close on February 20.
“Residents will also be helping themselves and their community if they get into the habit of logging issues and sending the details to their councillor for escalation.”
For more information on logging issues, visit the ‘about’ section of the Ward 90 Johannesburg Facebook page.
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