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For months, numerous streets across several suburbs in the Newcastle area have been in total darkness due to non-functioning streetlights.
Not being a new topic, but rather a persistent one; during the course of early January, the Newcastillian – Online News approached the Newcastle Municipality on the subject. At the time, Municipality Head of Communications confirmed the Newcastle Municipality was aware of the problem and assured a plan had been put into place to address the issue.
Read more: Municipality explains Newcastle’s dysfunctional streetlights
But now, over a month later, Newcastillians are still in the dark. Addressing the matter, Khumalo states, “Newcastle Local Municipality would like to categorically place it on record that a task team has been established to tackle the ongoing disruptions of streetlights in certain parts of Newcastle. Furthermore, the municipality is cognizant of the frustrations by residents and the inconvenience caused by these disruptions.”
Additionally, he enthuses the municipality has been working tirelessly to resolve the matter with the relevant parties. In particular, the fibre companies. “The municipality previously gave leeway to the fibre companies to begin the installation of fibre cables by digging trenches. During the process of trench digging and installation of fibre cables, a number of cable insulators were damaged, and further exposed live wires to water during inclement weather.”
While offering reasons why the streetlights are not working, residents are now looking for feasible solutions and a realistic timeframe from the municipality.
Khumalo stresses, “The instituted task team has been given a mandate to resolve the power disruptions within 3-6 weeks. The Manager of the Electrical Department, Zakhe Dube, will lead the team and will constantly update the public on the various strides and developments.” Adding the community will be updated via the municipal social media page, radio and media platforms weekly.
In the interim, Newcastle Municipality will exhaust all avenues, including seeking legal guidance in reaching amicable solutions in curbing the damage of infrastructure by fibre companies.
The Acting Municipal Manager, Mr Vish Govender, has also vowed to leave no stone unturned until this matter is resolved. “We promised the public a vibrant, progressive and tireless municipal workforce, and we aim to deliver on that mandate. We want to sustain our obligation of answering speedily when the Mayor his Worship Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba and the community sounds a clarion call. We vow that we will not catnap until critical issues get the attention that they deserve. We will continue to establish systems that are in favour of accountability and transparency. The constant power disruption of streetlights will be resolved, and that’s a promise we want to commit ourselves to.”
Newcastle Municipality Mayor Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba has hailed and applauded the establishment of the task team. Stating he trusts the acting Municipal Manager will execute this task impeccably.
With the task team beginning its duties, the municipality would like to urge community members to exercise patience whilst the issue is being dealt with and profusely apologises for the inconvenience caused.
What are your thoughts? Share your views with us in the comment section below.
2 Responses
Lets see if all these promises actually come true. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Well, lets see if all the promises actually come true. Holding thumbs.