BCM infrastructure takes shape
Monitoring site visit reveals both challenges and progress
BCM officials conducted site visits to monitor service delivery projects in East London last week.
According to a report from portfolio head of infrastructure services Ncedo Kumbaca, phase one of an upgrade to the Umzonyana Water Treatment Works is complete. The supply system serves the coastal and midland districts of BCM, a population of about 500,000 in the urban cores of East London and Mdantsane, with a smaller proportion in Ncerha rural villages surrounding the two main centres including the coastal resorts of Kaysers Beach and Winterstrand.
“The entire project comprises three phases, which entails the completion of the raw water inlet works, fencing, an upgrade of the pump station and construction of additional sludge lagoons,” Kumbaca said.
The site was handed over to the contractor in May 2017 and phase one cost R23m. Kumbaca said the project will also create further employment.
“The work that will be included in the project is completion of the 1,200mm diameter bulk outlet from the dam, reinforced concrete structures for the raw water inlet, construction of new flocculent and chlorine storage facilities and fencing of treatment works premises, including the Umzonyana Dam.”
The design for phases two and three, set to cost R48m, is still under review for implementing in 2018-19.
Kumbaca said mechanical and electrical work to the value of R86m has been completed at the extensions to the Reeston waste water treatment works despite a few challenges.
“The contractor is on penalties of over R2m to date. Outstanding works are trenching, electrical installations and gen- eral housekeeping. Electrical cables have been stolen on a number of occasions. Community challenges caused a few delays on the project as well.”
In another key project, BCM is busy with construction of the second phase of the Beacon Bay and Gonubie Link Road, a major four-lane arterial road. “The objectives are to provide high quality urban arterial road as part of the future transportation network of the area to improve accessibility to land and provide access to existing and future developments along the extension of Quenera Drive,” he said.
The project has seven phases and on completion of all seven, the link road will run from the traffic lights at Retail Park and Eskom’s Head Office all the way to Gonubie Main Road, connecting with it just past the Gonubie police station.
The project has created jobs for local labourers from Mzamomhle, Ducats and Beacon Bay.
The report details that the contractor is four weeks behind schedule in the West Bank Restitution water project infrastructure. Some of the work to be completed includes construction of a reinforced concrete storage reservoir at Willow Park, construction of a gravel access road to the reservoir and construction of a 2m perimeter fence around the reservoir with razor wire on top and a 6mwide gate. “Although behind, the contractor is still confident he will catch up to the programme.”
The Umzonyana supply system serves a population of about 500,000