Residents of Ward 18 in Eldorado Park can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the City initiates long-overdue upgrades to the drainage and water reticulation systems in the area. The residents have been plagued by overflowing drains and the subsequent health hazards, impacting their quality of life and dignity. Past piecemeal attempts to maintain and repair the aging sewer and water pipes had proven insufficient to address the challenge posed by the outdated infrastructure.
Digging operations for the project will commence on Monday, 24 July, with an estimated completion time of six months or possibly sooner.
Work in the various extensions of Ward 18 will be carried out concurrently.
One hurdle that must be overcome is the presence of illegal structures that could obstruct the laying of new pipes.
The department plans to engage with residents to find mutually beneficial solutions.
The Department of Human Settlements aims to restore human dignity to the citizens of Johannesburg, and this project marks a significant step in achieving that goal, says Cllr Anthea Leitch, the MMC for Human Settlements.
Cllr Leitch emphasises that while this project holds personal significance, it is just the beginning, and similar efforts must be undertaken to improve the living conditions of other affected residents.
She calls for collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the success of the project.
“Seeing the conditions faced by our residents every day reminds me why my work and that of my team is so important. Witnessing the dilapidation of these flats was one of the first things I saw when coming into office this year, and it is a relief to see change is finally being brought,” the MMC says.
Cllr Leitch recently convened a meeting with the contracted companies responsible for upgrading the outdated infrastructure.
The gathering included Ward 18 Cllr Juwairiya Kaldine, officials from Human Settlements and Joshco, members of the public, and other stakeholders.
The attendees received a comprehensive briefing and embarked on site visits to assess the affected buildings.
Expressing her gratitude, Cllr Kaldine emotionally thanked the MMC and officials for making this project a reality. She commended their care and commitment. MMC Leitch shared in the joy of the moment, announcing the much-needed upgrades that the residents had been eagerly awaiting after years of enduring recurring issues.
The project aims to provide training and temporary employment opportunities for local community members, as well as involve local Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) through partnerships with contractors from Joshco’s approved panel of companies. The department will oversee the implementation of the work.
“Much more needs to be done, so I hope this project can serve as a benchmark for others to come, to show it is possible to deliver effective engineering and infrastructure works quickly, within budget, and to a high standard,” MMC Leitch says.
18/07/2023