According to a statement from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, these four overhead transmission towers are part of the network from Chelsea Substation, Arlington Substation, and Summerstrand Substation, and were compromised as a result of strong gale-force winds, rust, and corrosion.
In response to the electrical disruptions across the Metro, the Nelson Mandela Bay University (NMU) sent a statement yesterday, August 25, stating that it will provide solutions to mitigate the effects on their Summerstrand campuses.
The NMU statement said: “We understand the concerns of our students and are engaging with the student leadership, while learning and teaching continue. Those students who missed tests due to the power outage are requested to contact their lecturers for alternative arrangements.”
NMU has also provided charging stations and study venues for affected students.
According to the municipal statement, the projected timeline by the municipality, which was initially 14 days, has been reduced by half.
“Contractors have begun excavating and planting poles, while the Eskom team from the Eastern Cape has started installing steel monopoles and post insulators. All efforts are being accelerated by increasing the workforce and extending work hours. Additional teams from the Western Cape will arrive tomorrow to expedite the process, with work continuing overnight to meet the revised timeline,” the municipal statement explained.
The municipal statement further added that a transformer has been installed at the South End substation, and cable terminations are underway, projected to be completed by today, August 26.
“Following this, a 24-hour oil filtration and soaking process will take place, with plans to begin load-taking by Tuesday, August 27.”
According to the NMU statement, the following NMU venues have been designated to assist students:
• The North Campus library – which closes on August 26 at 18:00
• The South Campus library – which closes August 26 at 18:00
• The Indoor Sport Centre – open 24 hours
• The second and seventh floors of the Embizweni Building – only for those authorised via their student cards
• The EBET Computer Laboratory, North Campus – open 24 hours
• The Oval Building at 2nd Avenue, the cafeteria, and lecture rooms close to the Security Control Room – apart from the lecture rooms, these will be open 24 hours a day
The NMU statement revealed that the university is now running on generator power, which is emergency power and cannot be regarded the same as normal Eskom power.
According to the NMU statement, the power comes from an expensive fuel source, at a cost of R500 000 per week.
“Additionally, with the water crisis, the university has installed pumps to move water from alternate sources like boreholes, as the metro has natural pressure to move water. Some of these pumps do not have bypasses, resulting in certain areas not having water for now.”
The NMU statement said that students are allowed to bring their two-plate stoves to the back of the Indoor Sport Centre, and the same applies to the 2nd Avenue cafeteria.
“The University has sourced gas stoves for 2nd Avenue and Sanlam Students Village residences and is trying to get more.”
