Our government needs to intervene, urgently. As a nation, we have been overrun by torrential rains that have taken place throughout the festive season into this new year, in all the provinces, but especially, KZN, Eastern Cape and Western Cape.
Although some places were lucky to receive an upgrade/facelift, the improvements are superficial.
Looking at the flooding it is apparent that our local governments need to do a better job in town planning, fixing and adding drainage systems, gullies, trenches and ditches.
This instead of fancy walkways, sidewalks and pavements which seem to fail to endure the extreme weather patterns which are now becoming the norm.
Proper underground piping and sewerage disposal is critical to help protect our water and our environment.
Such pollution can cause a health and environmental hazard.
My appeal is for government to find genuine town planners, plus qualified and experienced technicians, to refine and improve the resilience of our infrastructure to better cope with this unfortunate new norm of climate change.
I would also like the quality of material used to be assessed, and stress tests to be conducted. Refurbished structures don’t last in this hard and heavy weather.
Government needs to seriously ensure that people who get these tenders – even though I am sceptical and critical of all tender processes – meet all the minimum requirements.
They must be legitimate specialists in their fields, not business people out to make a quick buck.
They must have a proven track record and must be held accountable for any mishaps, as people are dying left and right.
There have been reports of drownings in manholes, drownings in flood water, and overflowing rivers.
In the streets and at home, safety is a challenge. Surely there are people who may have noticed missing property structures.
Those in charge of hiring these contractors need to invest in durability.
This thing of the same people being called to patch up their shoddy messes needs to stop.
There should be proper targets and objectives set in place, not this superficial slap-dash that is hurting our fellow citizens.
PENNY MSWELI
Port Shepstone
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