WARD 66 residents are encouraged to fill out an online complaint form if they’ve been affected by the trench diggings in the area.
Diggings for fibre optic cable installations have not gone as smoothly as they should, prompting most residents to air out their frustrations on social media.
Using the community-orientated website, Bluff Projects, OSS war room chairperson, Charles Leaven, said the more people come forward, the stronger the case will be to get the municipality to respond.
“We now have a database for these kinds of complaints. The plan is to get eThekwini Municipality at the table with the Roads and Storm Water, Electricity, and Water departments including all the stakeholders that play a part.”
“We will engage with them that since they’ve given contractors permission to dig up in our community, they should be responsible for the issues that arise,” he said.
He said most of the complaints he has received so far were related to the lack of community representation and participation. He further highlighted the importance of these role players mediators between the community and contractors.
“There is no local representative from the community whose job is to monitor the project on behalf of the community. We don’t see local people working on this project, they are mostly from outside.”
“The appointments for labourers have been made and we can’t do anything about that, but we’re not happy about it. The jobs could have gone to the people in our area because we have skilled labourers too.”
“The other big issues are water and electricity services. They have had a switch interruption for about three months which has not been solved. The labourers hit a sewer pipe and sewerage has been leaking. This is a health hazard.”
“These private contractors are not solving the problems they’re causing and eThekwini is leaving them be. And I am not happy about that,” he said.
The spokesperson for eThekwini Municipality, Msawakhe Mayisela, confirmed that installation is done by private companies. He said before the work can commence, these companies have to obtain authorisation from the municipality.
“They submit all required approval forms to the relevant eThekwini Departments and other respective service providers. Our Roads and Stormwater Maintenance Department has dedicated a clerk of works, who monitors these contractors and ensures compliance on site.”
“They are the first point of contact in the event of any damages or non-compliance. They are also entitled to stop work in case of major transgression. We will look into the allegations in the Bluff area,” he said.
He urged residents with complaints to report or find out more information from the Roads and Stormwater Maintenance Department on 031-322-7241.
To lodge a complaint with the war room chairperson, visit www.bluffprojects.co.za.
