The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Deputy Executive Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe thanked flood disaster victims from Walmer Airport Valley for their cooperation and patience as the Metro worked around the clock to prepare a relocation site for them.

The Deputy Executive Mayor visited the first relocated victims, who started occupying their temporary houses yesterday, on Friday, 13 September 2024. The Human Settlements Directorate will be relocating the 20 flood victims that were identified following a consultative verification process.

"I think it is important to thank the flood victims for their patience during this time. To wait, and live under the conditions they had to, was not easy. We are pleased to announce that we are finished with the site and houses. To see the joy in their faces is encouraging,” said Deputy Executive Mayor Lobishe.

The Deputy Executive Mayor said as leadership they are closely monitoring progress made with regard to the relocation of the flood victims of Lapland in Kariega.

"We are also pleased that the clearing of the site in Kariega has commenced. We expect the construction of temporary houses to commence next week. These relocations are part of our commitment to alleviate distress and restore dignity to our people,” said Deputy Executive Mayor Lobishe.

Speaking after spending her first night in her safe temporary house, one of the beneficiaries, Gcotyelwa Mdolomba said: "I have never slept so peaceful in my life. It might be a temporary house but how the site has been prepared and the quality of the house warms my heart.”

The Deputy Executive Mayor said she will be visiting the relocation site in Kariega next week to check on the progress made. "We need to work with speed when we manage a disaster. When our people are in distress, they deserve a quality service that is implemented with speed,’ added Deputy Executive Mayor Lobishe.