Nine informal settlements across the Kouga region are set to be upgraded at a combined cost of more than R22 million over the next 12 months – a major step towards the eradication of the bucket system.
Funded by the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements (ECDHS), as part of their National Upgrading Support Programme (NUSP) to aid municipalities to upgrade informal settlements, the project will commence within the next two weeks.
This after site establishment was completed in January this year, and informative public participation meetings with all affected stakeholders are currently being finalised.
Kouga Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks said, “The implementation of this project will see nine previously disadvantaged communities with over 3 000 households be provided with decent basic services, such as water, sewage, sanitation, and waste management.”
The infrastructure upgrade includes the provision of 47 communal standpipes and supply piping, the construction of 560 low flush communal toilets, the construction of marine steel toilets, and the refurbishment of the current communal ablution facilities.
“This will help to address the ongoing dependence of informal areas on the bucket system. More than 4 000 Kouga households still rely on buckets,” said Hendricks.
“This is unacceptable and must be eradicated as soon as possible.”
Roads and stormwater drainage will also be upgraded.
Spearheaded by Baledi Re-Engineering as the appointed contractor, the informal settlements to be upgraded are Donkerhoek, Ocean View, Lower Golf Course, Upper Golf Course, Thornhill, No R10, Shukushukuma, Polar Park, and Bungalow.
“Residents of Kouga have been waiting for a very long time to be provided with decent basic services,” said Hendricks.
“We are pleased to form an integral part of this project that will change residents’ lives for the better.
“It is all about restoring the dignity of our residents that we care for deeply.”
