Many want to upgrade bus stops in Secunda for free
All businessmen must follow the tender process.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) is dragging its feet on giving feedback to local businessman Jaco Horn, who offered to fix and upgrade eight of the GMM’s bus stops in town at no cost. DA Clr Fiona Pelman emailed the GMM to follow up on Horn’s proposal, but to no avail.
Horn offered to refurbish the bus stops near the mini Pick n Pay on Joe Slovo Street, three on Nelson Mandela Drive, one near the Super SPAR, a second closer to the Palms, the third one near Curro Secunda, three on Helen Joseph Street, one near Dr Darko’s office, a second near the Albany Bakery and a third near Davies Court.
Horn said the benefits to the municipality would be enhanced commuter experiences, cleaner and safer bus stops, no financial burden to the GMM, improved town aesthetics and public-private partnerships fostering community development.
Horn wants to display his business’ advertising on the bus stops in exchange for the upkeep and refurbishment.
When questioned, Donald Green, the GMM spokesperson, told the Ridge Times that the municipality must put out tenders for the refurbishment of the bus stops because of the overwhelming enquiries they had received to upgrade them and allow advertising in return.
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According to Green, all the other businesspeople are willing to upgrade the bus stops at no cost to the GMM.
“The tender is not to pay a service provider, but for the municipality to ensure a fair and equal process for all interested and affected parties, so the same process is followed,” said Green.
The work Horn suggested included structural repairs, thorough cleaning and maintenance, installing new seats and new or refurbished roofs, providing and maintaining refuse bins, and ongoing maintenance and servicing of these bus stops for three years from the approval date.
In her follow-up letter to the GMM, Pelman said it was an excellent opportunity to improve the community infrastructure without financial implications for the municipality.
“I urge your department to prioritise this matter accordingly,” said Pelman’s letter, but neither she nor Horn received replies or communication from the GMM.
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