Mpho Moerane, the City of Joburg MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD), is satisfied that the work has resumed at Eldorado Park substation on March 23.
The office of the MMC was on site with the contractors and City Power officials to ensure a smooth resumption of the project and engaged the leader of Sisonke Business Forum leadership, which represents local businesses in the area.
At the core of the forum’s disgruntlement was the PNG (payment for the project’s administration work, such as HR). The MMC indicated that such queries should be made to the MMC or his office for mediation. He added he will ensure that his door is open for further engagements in the future.
“We are happy that the work resumed without further disruptions. We have agreed with all the stakeholders that work on the substation cannot be delayed any further to ensure the reliable supply of electricity to the community,” said Moerane.
A total of R15-million has been budgeted for this first phase of the project, which is expected to be completed in June. The second phase will resume in July and is expected to last for a year.
The MMC’s office last week met with stakeholders, including community leaders, organised business representatives, SMMEs, community liaison officers and the main contractor. A consensus was reached that in the interest of the community of Eldorado Park and its surrounding areas, the old substation infrastructure needs an urgent upgrade and boost to ensure the reliable provision of electricity.
The project aims to hire 20 Extended Public Works Programme workers from the community, eight local SMMEs alongside the community liaison officer and local labourers, most of whom were on-site on last week’s resumption.
The project is a continuation of 2015.
