The arrival of lifts a blessing for residents at Andries Scribante Haven
The metro previously said the installation of lifts at Andries Scribante Haven will begin at the end of September and is expected to be completed by the end of November
Residents of the metro-owned Andries Scribante Haven are overjoyed as the process to install new lifts at the centre finally commenced on September 28.
For a number of years, the centre’s elderly residents were forced to use the stairs to get to and from their flats.
The lift components are ordered outside of South Africa and then shipped in, which is a lengthy process.
Ward 32 Clr Marius de Vos said lift components and a generator arrived at Andries Scribante Haven on September 27.
“I’m over the moon about the lifts that were delivered at Andries Scribante. Contractors will now have to assemble and install the new lifts.
“It bothered me that elderly residents at the centre didn’t receive service delivery and had to struggle without lifts for so long. These people are paying for services and have the right to be treated with dignity and respect,” said de Vos.
He urged the metro to get a proper budget in place regarding the maintenance of the lifts.
During the introduction of the contractors to the ward councillors on September 10, MMC for Human Settlements Lesiba Mpya said the contract for the installation of the lifts comes with one year’s free maintenance.
He said this will give the metro sufficient time to go out on tender or use contractors already on the metro’s supplier database to maintain the lifts thereafter.
Mpya said due to the age of some of these properties, it may be necessary to re-strengthen the shafts to make sure they are able to carry the weight of the lifts.
Re-wiring will also be done to make sure the power supplied is in line with the technology fitted to the lifts.
In addition, said Mpya, the lift purchase agreement comes with a backup generator that will kick in when there is an interruption in the power supply.
“We want our residents, especially the elders, to be able to use the lifts anytime, even during load-shedding. We are trying to bring back dignity to our people,” he said.
Residential committee members at Andries Scriante Haven Susan Visser and Soobhahn Brooks also expressed their gratitude about the arrival of the lifts.
“This is amazing and a blessing from God. I have no words. I would like to thank everybody involved in this project and the team who is going to assist with the installation of the lifts,” said Visser.
“We are truly grateful. Some people are confined to their rooms due to the faulty lifts. Hence, it will truly help if the municipality can repair it,” Brooks pointed out.
The metro previously stated the installation of lifts at Andries Scribante Haven will commence at the end of September and is expected to be completed by the end of November.
Also Read:Metro responds to concerns at Andries Scribante Haven
Also Read: Andries Scribante Haven lifts expected to arrive soon
