Innovative electrification for hundreds of temporary houses in Motherwell
Published: December 14, 2022<< BACK TO NEWS
On Wednesday, 14 December 2022, The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality connected electricity to more than 300 families who were relocated during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic to temporary housing in Motherwell.
This comes as the City continues with the electrification
of informal settlements work to curb illegal electricity connections and
improve their livelihoods of residents.
NMBM Mayoral Committee Member for Electricity and Energy,
Cllr Lance Grootboom led the energizing for the 363 homes and committed that
the City aims to restore dignity to residents’ lives.
"This area is a relocation zone; residents were moved
during the peak of COVI-19 just to stay here temporary. When they came here
there was no electricity and they started connecting illegally and that was
very dangerous as wires were exposed and the City was also losing electricity.
This was something we had to monitor and address.”
"We have now removed all the illegal electricity
connections that were installed and provided the citizens with basic
electricity. They are now paying customers of the Municipality and we have
given them some free units as a startup, so they can enjoy this basic human
right. It is not safe and correct to steal electricity, especially because
unsafe conditions pose safety risks to children and the elderly. However, we
are happy to be finally here today and change people’s lives for the better,”
said MMC Grootboom.
MMC Grootboom was joined by Ward 54 Councilor, Lunga
Minyayo who turned the power- on inside some of the shelters in the area.
Delighted beneficiary Silungise Mazwane said "the removal
of illegal electricity connections meant they could enjoy Christmas holidays in
a safe environment’.
"We are very happy as residents. Living without electricity
has been really challenging for some of us. We used paraffin, which is very
expensive, unsafe and has bad fumes, making us live a poor, unhealthy
lifestyle. We are really looking forward to this new chapter and hope things
will get better from here,” said Mazwane.
Ends.
Issued by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
Communications office.
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