Progress is electric in Komatipoort
Last week Nkomazi East Combined Commerce and Tourism Association (Neccta) held an emergency public meeting at Kambaku Golf Club, where residents and various stakeholders had the opportunity to share their thoughts on the water and electricity crisis.
KOMATIPOORT – Last week Nkomazi East Combined Commerce and Tourism Association (Neccta) held an emergency public meeting at Kambaku Golf Club, where residents and various stakeholders had the opportunity to share their thoughts on the water and electricity crisis. An estimated 250 furious and fed-up residents and business owners made their voices heard. They learnt from Neccta’s convener, Mr Jan Engelbrecht, that Nkomazi Local Municipality (NLM) had formally agreed to further its commitment to solve the ongoing water and electricity crisis in town.
Rapid progress was made after the association intervened. NLM solved the problem of bulk-electricity supply in town, which was its greatest issue.
The retail centre had been connected to the main town supply which provided immediate relief for business owners, as well as getting Eskom to change the required settings which permitted additional bulk electricity to Komatipoort’s town area. The local community assisted the municipality where it could to ensure performance.
“We created a WhatsApp group power-consistency measuring team, from residents in all areas of Komatipoort. We assisted the municipality in measuring electricity adequacy from the moment the Eskom settings had been done.
“By Monday morning it was evident the bulk supply was adequate – we could live and work again in Komatipoort,” Engelbrecht explained. As a result, Komatipoorters can now all work and stay in a conducive environment.
There was a number of unfortunate power dips last week as a result of Eskom adjusting the required settings.
According to Engelbrecht, this unfortunately resulted in damage to refrigerators, computers and other electrical appliances and equipment in town.
The next major issue to address is water supply and infrastructure. A huge step forward has been the appointment of an office bearer of Komatipoort water affairs. Ms Dudu Sifunda has now been appointed as an accountable head at NLM for the town.
“In view of the performance to date, we believe the municipality will attend to the relevant matters.
“We monitor progress. We assist when and where necessary, as we always did. Yet, we shall take action to force delivery, if delivery is neglected,” Engelbrecht said.
Neccta management has prepared a list of tasks, tabling the commitments municipality made, with adequate timelines for its completion. A letter depicting these timelines was sent and handed to the municipal leadership on Tuesday. In this letter Neccta expressed appreciation for the commitment and work already done. It also informed NLM that it was geared and prepared to take action and reiterated the need to continue a partnership relationship.
“We pray this experience serves to unlock the cooperative relationship permanently, and that the municipality dynamically will ensure the local business/residential and tourism environment is wholly and fully enabled, so that Komatipoort can develop to its full potential,” said Engelbrecht.
Upgrades still required:
• A two-kilometre overhead line to Komati River Station is to be built and made operational. Status: Work commenced. Deadline: March 16.
• The pumps and motors at the Komati River Station must be upgraded.
Status: Has been ordered. Deadline: March 2.
• A switch over to the Komatipoort River Station from feeds from the town supply line or the Sonefe line must be put in place. Status: Pending, awaiting completion of the two-kilometre overhead line. Deadline: March 30.
• Pumps and motors must be introduced at the Croc River Station – and be made operational. Status: Orders submitted. Deadline: March 2.
• Backup golf-course pump and motor connection into the Komati River feed. Status: Technically possible. Awaits formal engagement from municipality. Deadline: March 30.
• Backup mobile generator must be available for motor pumps. Status: Quotations obtained and ordered. Deadline: March 23.
• Replacing one of the suction pipes in the Komati River. Status: Unknown.
Deadline: March 2.
• Switches at the Eskom station must be introduced and set. Status: Quotations obtained, orders to be placed.
Deadline: March 23.
• Communication from municipality – an improved system should be implemented. Status – only Mr Marius Kruger’s SMSes reached a few residents. Deadline: March 2.
