KARIEGA – Residents of McCarthy informal settlement in Kariega are a step closer to receiving a more stable electricity supply as the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality advances its electrification project in the area.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Electricity and Energy, Councillor Ziyanda Mnqokoyi, Ward 48 Councillor Franay van de Linde and officials from the municipality’s Electricity and Energy Directorate recently met with residents to provide an update on the project’s progress.
According to the municipality, Phase 1 of the project is nearing completion and involves the installation of electricity poles throughout the informal settlement. The next stage will include the stringing of electrical cables and the installation of a mini substation to strengthen power supply to the community.
This development comes after years of frustration from residents. UD Express previously reported on the plight of families living in Tinktinkie and McCarthy informal settlements, where communities continue to endure severe service delivery backlogs, including limited access to sanitation, water and electricity.
Speaking during an oversight visit last week, Mnqokoyi said the municipality had already bought the mini substation that will serve the area.
“We are almost done with Phase 1, which consists of the planting of poles, with stringing of the cable to follow,” she said. “We have already bought the mini substation that will be powering the area. It is going to be installed to support the already-operating mini substation in the area.”
Mnqokoyi said the project was progressing steadily and that funding had been secured to complete the remaining work.
There is already a budget allocated for the refurbishments for the next financial year and the next, with almost R7 million allocated to the project for both financial years.
She added that the municipality intended to complete the project during the next financial year. “What is left is Phase 2, which is the adding of cables, electricity boxes and keypads to be installed in the area.”
The electrification project forms part of the municipality’s broader infrastructure development programme aimed at improving access to basic services in communities across Nelson Mandela Bay.
Van de Linde welcomed the progress made so far, while residents reportedly expressed optimism that the project would soon provide improved access to electricity in the settlement.
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