Makwassie – The intervention by the North West Department for Local Government and Human Settlement at Maqussie Hills local municipality will see a stop to massive sewer spillages experienced in the area recently and over the years. This follows the handing over of sewer machinery worth R1.2 million by MEC Collen Maine to deal decisively with sewer spillages in the area. They include a honey suck truck for over flowing drainage and a jet machine.
MEC Maine said the plea by community members did not fall on deaf ears. “The situation was a health hazard to residents and we believed no one must be subjected to such a situation. We were unable to turn a blind hence we came up with such an intervention. The honey suck truck and a bakkie with a jet machine trailer will stop unnecessary sewer spillages. However the municipality will continue to capacitate residents on the does and don’t of ensuring an unblocked sanitation channel to avoid spillages” remarked MEC Maine.
Few months ago sewer spillages, which were experienced in Lebaleng Extension 3, 4 and 5, were a thorn in the flesh as it left the area with a bad stench. This some residents took to the streets to complain about the situation.
Mayor of Maquassie Hills, Noni Kgabi, expressed joy when receiving both the truck and bakkie from the MEC Maine. “We have been in dire need of these equipments for a very long time. We will now deal with blockages as when they happen, reducing the turnaround time. Spillages in the area which have bothered residents will be a thing of the past” remarked the delightful Kgabi.
Apart from handing over of new equipments, the municipality through the assistance of the department engaged in a sewer pump station refurbishment to the value of over R700 000.00. In process seventy (70) young people in the area were employed. The other group engaged in a sewer awareness campaign, the other for disinfecting the area where spillages took place and cleaning of roads, the third group installed new equipments in the sewer pump station and the last group manufactured lockable manhole covers.
Ward 11 councillor Doctor Mohadi said with the machinery the municipality they will be on top of each and every sewer problem that arise. “As the councillor of this ward, now and then I was receiving sewer blockage problems and spillages in the ward. With the refurbishment of the sewer plant and the handing over of this machinery we couldn’t have asked for anything better. This is delivering on our pre-election mandate of putting to a stop the sewer problem in the area” said Mohadi.
The municipality will continue to educate residents on how to avoid sewer blockages which causes spillages. During the awareness campaign residents were encouraged not to deposit foreign materials into sewer system like plastics, cart boxes, disposable nappies and tins. As a result the municipality will install lockable sewer manhole cover as residents also open the covers and deposits materials which ultimately blocks the sewer system. Only municipal workers will possess the key to the covers.
-end.
PICTURE
1. From Left: Explaining how the newly refurbished sewer plant will assist alleviate the sewer problem in Lebaleng township - Ward 11 : Maquassie Hills Ward Councillors - Cllr. Doctor Mohadi and Cllr. Dorcas Sereeditse together with MEC for Local Government and Human Settlement Collen Maine.
2. MEC for Local Government and Human Settlement Collen Maine handing over the Honey suck truck keys to Maquassi Hills Mayor Noni Kgabi.
3. From left: Maquassie Hills Ward Councillors Cllr. Dorcas Sereeditse and Cllr. Doctor Mohadi and Mayor Noni Kgabi receiving the Jet Machine from MEC for Local Government and Human Settlement Collen Maine.
4. The Honey suck truck and the bakkie with jet machine trailer handed over to Maquassi Hills local municipality by the Department of Local Government and Human Settlement.
Issued by Department of Local Government and Human Settlements:
Enquiries: Ben Bole (Departmental Spokesperson)
CELL: 0715661399, EMAIL: msbole@nwpg.gov.za
