The Mayor of uThukela District Councillor Siphiwe Mazibuko recently visited Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality to introduce two contractors that will undertake water and sanitation projects.
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The introduction was conducted in Weenen Town Hall in the presence of Chairperson for Water, Sanitation and Technical Services Cllr S Dlungwane, Cllr Edith Lite, Ward Cllr Mnube and officials. Sinethemba Construction was handed the water project in Ward 20 and Maxode Trading was given sanitation project in Ward 21.
“These projects are for the community and closest to the communities are structures of government. Covid-19 pandemic is a serious silent killer. Each and every day, the number of infections is going up. Our district is one of those whose numbers are increasing drastically. The virus is here around us so it’s important that necessary precautions are exercised. We expect to see the peak during the coming months where numbers will be rising up faster. Inkosi Langalibalele is hardest hit; I’m not trying to scare people but it’s a reality. The decision from above was to say we have to save the academic year and reopen schools in phases. Another issue is that of unemployment where a number of people have lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic”, explained Mayor Mazibuko.
In terms of sub-contracting and recruitment, Mr Mazibuko emphasised that there are guidelines that are available to assist. He said the leadership is interested in the local economic development, so they want to know how many people are benefiting through projects like these.
On the water related project Sinethemba Construction will undertake a water reticulation project for the duration of 12 months. The project is envisaged to create about 25 temporary job opportunities for the community. An amount of over R29.5 million has been allocated.
The sanitation project in Ezitendeni will be undertaken by Maxode. This is expected to take about 3 months to complete. About 15 temporary job opportunities for the locals will be created.
It has been allocated just over R4.9 million. Cllr Edith Lite thanked the Mayor for such critical projects. She said she was grateful that the Mayor has brought the projects in Weenen. She the appealed to councillors not to politicise the projects as they are for the community and that the recruitment and selection process must be open and fair to all.
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