R14-million budget for eSikhaleni cable replacement

FOLLOWING numerous unplanned electricity outages due to faulty cables, R14-million has been budgeted for a cable replacement project in eSikhaleni.

This was revealed during uMhlathuze Municipality community public feedback meetings held at various venues.

The replacement of 11kV electrical cables in H and J sections is expected to commence in February, and to be completed in July.

This will include cable terminations, cable joining, laying, pipe jacking, trenching and back-filling.

The community has been advised to expect occasional power disturbances while the project is underway.

According to the municipality, outages will take place over a period of three hours when contractors are busy with cable terminations at various sub-stations.

‘The community will benefit from having a more stable, sustainable and uninterrupted power supply on completion of the projects.’ said the Electricity Project Manager, Thandanani Vundla.

Vundla said most work will be granted to local sub-contractors.

‘This will empower local contractors and local labourers.

‘The approach adopted is to subcontract the local emerging contractor at the same rate as the main contractor, if the tender is awarded to the supplier who resides outside of uThungulu District Municipality.

‘This approach will be used for the first time in the eSikhaleni 11kV Cable replacement project,’

‘This to ensure that a portion of the contract amount is retained in the City to boost our local economy, and to ensure that large companies who work for the Municipality pass on skills to smaller local contractors,’ he said.

Ward 21 councillor Musa Mbokazi said the community has welcomed the good news.

‘We have had problems with outages for a long time, and the community it thrilled that something is being done about it.

‘We have discussed this matter with them, and they know it won’t affect their daily routines.

‘This will be unlike the replacement of water pipes where roads were damaged.

‘We hope this project will run smoothly and we expect great results,’ said Mbokazi.