Makana takes steps to fix issues

THE Makana municipality is dealing with illegal dumping of refuse and sourcing funding to fix Grahamstown’s potholed roads, a spokeswoman said yesterday.

Yoliswa Ramokolo was responding to questions about the shocking state of the city, with problems ranging from litter everywhere to rutted roads, wandering livestock and water supply cuts.

Upgrading and maintenance of roads:

“The municipality has commissioned consultants to quantify and cost the repairs and upgrades and overhaul of all Grahamstown roads, and that comes to an amount of R120-million. A business plan to that effect is available and the municipality is currently sourcing such funding.”

Cleanliness and refuse collection:

“Time and again the municipality does face operational challenges, like any other municipality, in the collection and disposal of refuse, but ultimately refuse is dealt with by the municipality. The only pertinent challenge facing the municipality is the illegal dumping of refuse in areas not designated for such, but the municipality is dealing with that matter.”

Stray cattle and other livestock:

“Engagements with bodies like the SPCA and SAPS as well as the neighbouring municipalities with animal pound facilities have been entered into with the aim of ensuring that such animals are impounded.”

Water and sanitation:

“The reason water is not available in the afternoons in areas that are supplied by the James Kleynhans Water Scheme is the fact that the water demand in those areas far exceeds what the scheme produces. The municipality is in the process of upgrading the plant that produces that water to double its current size. The municipality anticipates that all projects will be completed by the end of the 2019-20 financial year.”

Implementation and monitoring of bylaws:

“The municipality has identified that shortcoming and is in the process of identifying employees with potential within its employ to train as peace officers so as to ensure that bylaws are enforced within the municipality.”

Permanent appointment of a municipal manager:

“The position of municipal manager was advertised late last year and the appointment will be concluded by the end of March.”