Construction disrupts town
The water problem occurred when a contractor damaged one of the pipes and the electricity problem was also caused by a contractor who drove the excavator into a transformer
BURGERSFORT – During the past few weeks businesses in town had to contend with numerous problems caused by storm-water drainage-pipe construction.
“Before our school closed in June, our water and electricity were shut down on various occasions. The water problem occurred when a contractor damaged one of the pipes and the electricity problem was also caused by a contractor who drove the excavator into a transformer. When these problems occur, we struggle to prepare food for the little ones at the crèche and it obviously causes sanitary issue,” said Mr Coert Erasmus, principal of Laerskool Burgersfort.
Ms Lari Truter of Cheap Cheap Butchery said since the construction they had been experiencing a serious problem with parking. “The contractors laid the pipes around our business, but they never covered the holes properly where the pipes were laid and our customers use these spaces for parking. This is causing a lot of traffic problems in Marone Street. Our telephone lines were also affected and our water was also shut down a few times,” added Truter.
Another business also negatively affected was BUCO. Mr John Squire, branch manager, said they had been without water on numerous occasions. When a water pipe was damaged at the company, the contractors refused to fix it at their own expense, claiming that it was not their fault. BUCO had to cover the repair costs. “We only have two toilets and we have 36 employees, when the water is off it really causes a health hazard. Our suppliers struggle to make deliveries because the contractors never fill the holes properly at our entrance,” said Squire.
These businesses also said they did not receive any written or verbal notification that the municipality was starting with the construction.
“If citizens encounter any problems such as water and electricity being shut down due to the construction, they must phone the municipality so that we can attend to the problem immediately. If businesses feel that they were not properly informed, we will gladly issue new letters to them regarding this matter. The whole town will in future benefit from the project. It was scheduled for six months and we ask the community to be patient and understanding during this time,” concluded Mr Thabiso Mokoena, spokesman for Greater Tubatse Municipality.
