DEAR Editor:
The Alexander Crescent bridge next to Premier Funeral Services has been badly damaged for quite some time now.
At present, the access is confined to one lane and the structure is a danger to public safety.
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The damage first occurred in April 2018, at which time I reported the matter to Umdoni’s customer services unit and to the general manager of technical services.
No repairs were undertaken and the rainfall in April 2019 caused more damage and another torrential downpour is likely to cause the structure to collapse.
The damage this year was reported in the same manner as in the previous year.
I endeavored to meet with officials from the roads department to have the bridge attended to but their response is that the repairs had not been budgeted for in this financial year.
This despite the fact that Umdoni has at least R180-million in cash reserves that should have been spent on infrastructure maintenance over the past decade – and longer.
In light of Umdoni’s failure to provide funding for the repairs, I compiled a petition to be served on Umdoni.
The petition seeks to have the funds made available in the mid-term adjustment budget.
Some 200 residents have signed the petition which will be served on Umdoni this week.
It is unacceptable that Umdoni can accumulate large cash reserves whilst it continues to neglect the infrastructure that citizens rely on and pay for.
It is the duty of public representatives to conduct oversight and take initiatives to promote service delivery.
The IDP submissions I lodged on behalf of residents made provision for these repairs. It was short-sighted of officials and the ruling party to ignore the need for essential infrastructure maintenance.
Hopefully this petition will restore the priority.
COUNCILLOR KENNY ARMUGAM
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