Metro launches projects worth R260m in KWT

PROJECTS for roads, water and electricity valued at over R260-million were officially launched by Buffalo City Metro in King William’s Town yesterday.

The day-long tour of inland infrastructure projects kicked off in Phakamisa, where roadworks valued at R4-million are under way in Cliff Village.

The regravelling done by G S Civil Engineers, a road construction company based in Kwelera, started last month and is due for completion in August.

BCM mayor Xola Pakati, infrastructure head Ncedo Kumbaca and ward 25 councillor Crosby Kolela were among the officials at the site.

One portion of the road could be seen completely regravelled, while contractors were still at work on other parts.

Kumbaca confirmed that 14 labourers had been employed for the project.

The delegation also visited the R249million Zwelitsha treatment works which is now in phase two.

It is expected to be fully operational by April next year, said Gibbs consultant Casper Kruger.

Kumbaca said completion of the water works was the only barrier to the municipality developing more housing projects in the region.

“The whole development of this region relies on the completion of the treatment works, which services Bhisho, King William’s Town and Zwelitsha.

“The three-year project started in February 2016 and consists of building bulk earthworks for the construction of platforms, stormwater, potable and wash water systems,” said Kumbaca.

Kruger said the project had created about 200 jobs for locals, and 10 local SMMEs would get business from the remainder of the project.

“A lot of paving needs to be done here, and already three local SMMEs have been earmarked,” he said.

Kumbaca launched the KWT substation valued at over R6-million, which he said would prevent the constant outages caused by the influx of people building in the nearby villages. —