MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A definite plan for further engagement between the Walvis Street community, municipal manager Adv Thys Giliomee, ward councillor Witness Buda and the municipal executive followed a constructive meeting on Thursday evening, 7 February.
The meeting followed the protest action on Monday, 4 February on Louis Fourie Road when protesters blocked the arterial road at De Bakke with burning tyres.
It was agreed that a feedback meeting on the provision of houses would take place with the municipal manager by the end of March.
A committee representing the community will soon meet with the relevant directors on the other service delivery concerns.
"I urge the community to inform the municipality of service delivery complaints such as a lack of lighting or refuse removal issues so that the problems may be taken care of," the municipal manager emphasised.
The meeting, which took place in the open on Thursday evening, was well attended by the community and municipal executive and lasted for more than two hours. Several community members repeated their frustration at the lack of basic amenities, and their disappointment at the lack of formal housing that were promised to them. The community has to use communal taps and ablutions and many of their homes are not fitted with legal electricity.
Their frustration is ascribed to lack of progress with a housing project of which they would be the beneficiaries. Several administrative challenges hampered the housing project over a prolonged period.
The municipal manager repeatedly explained that administrative red tape over which he has no control has influenced the contract and highlighted the steps his administration is taking to expedite the delivery of houses.
Read related articles here:
- Demand for housing leads to riot
- Community meets with municipal manager
- Steer clear of Louis Fourie road
One of the concerns raised by residents was the lack of potable water in their homes.
The municipal manager, Adv Thys Giliomee, councillors and members of the municipal executive met with scores of residents of the Walvis Street community.
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