Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality member of the mayoral committee for electricity and energy, Councillor Luxolo Namette, officially switched on the electricity supply to shacks in the Westville informal settlement, near KwaDwesi, last week.
Nelson Mandela Bay continues to experience a high demand for housing, creating a housing backlog of approximately 80 000 units, hence the mushrooming of informal settlements across the metro.
As a result of this phenomenon, most of these areas, such as the Westville informal settlement, are disconnected from services like electricity and running water.
The metro has already electrified 1 000 shacks out of a total of 1 200 shacks in Westville. The remaining 200 shacks will be electrified before the end of February.
Work is already in progress in areas like Motherwell and Ikamvelihle.
Speaking to residents and the media after officially switching on the power supply to one of the shacks, Namette said he was pleased to see that the work was progressing well.
“As government, we have to follow the money, making sure that projects are delivered as promised. I am here to switch on the electricity and update the residents about the remaining shacks that still need electrification,” said Namette.
He said the connection of Westville would go a long way towards eliminating chances of illegal electricity connections. “One of the drivers of illegal connection is the unavailability of legal electricity. We have to move swiftly, as a city, to provide services to our people. They have been waiting for far too long,” said Namette.
One of the beneficiaries of the electrification programme, Nomonde Gwedashe, said, “Thank you to the municipality for the electrification.
“The electrification and provision of water reduces the stress of waiting for a formal subsidised house a little. I am happy that I can switch on legally and safe,” said Gwedashe.
The electrification of shacks will continue for the duration of this year, with more than 4 000 shacks set to be electrified.
