IN a shocking turn of events, eThekwini Municipality needs over R300 million for the next three financial years to maintain and complete electricity projects throughout Durban that remain incomplete.

This is according to a report tabled by eThekwini Trading Services Committee at a council meeting recently.

Also read: eThekwini Municipality replaces streetlights on The Bluff

A report revealed that the municipality needs a total of R334 million to finish the incompleted electricity projects.

Many suburbs in Durban including The Bluff are grappling with malfunctioning streetlights. The poor maintenance and malfunctioning of the street lights contribute to major blackouts on The Bluff and surrounding areas.

Over 700 street lights not working on The Bluff

In addition to this, over 700 streetlights in Ocean View on The Bluff are not working.

Ward 66 councillor Zoë Solomon said  areas that are most affected are on the list for replacement, including Ocean View.

The municipality is currently trying to identify separate unspent funds for street lighting maintenance, replacement and new installation.

Also read: Council approves budget to upgrade Anstey’s Beach on The Bluff

This will accommodate both operating and capital projects and thus additional funding in both categories.

According to the municipality, the resource inadequacy within the street lighting branch is evident from the  staffing and resource limitations.

The report highlights lack of maintenance contract and insufficient funding

“Despite the critical role of street lighting maintenance in ensuring public safety and urban functionality, the branch is grappling with shortage of operational vehicles and staff,” the report read.

According to the report, the increase in outstanding street lighting work orders from 2015 to 2024 highlights the severe impact of the lack of a maintenance contract and insufficient funding.

This necessitated the number of contracted services to be increased from 30 to 63.

“The budget is not aligned to these resources which come with bucket and crane trucks. These resources cost approximately R7 million per month, and currently, there is no budget allocation. The operating budget on street lighting and high mast over the next three financial years is R335 million,” the report read.

The report also revealed that the capital budget on high-mast installation and festive lighting is R52 million.

“The MV/LV Operations (maintenance works) has procured services of competent electricians and artisans to 12 contractors to assist undertake preventive and reactive (breakdown) maintenance on the distribution network equipment. Without the service of these contractors, the eThekwini Electricity will fail to commit providing electricity  to customers,” the report read.

Contractor electricians have been deployed to carry out preventive and reactive maintenance on a daily basis, as informed by the following:

• Increased faults due to ageing infrastructure network;
• Increased cable theft and vandalism;
• Increased customer service expectations;
• Quality of power supply;
• Increased scope of work (street lighting); and
• Inclement weather patterns.

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