GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality, as many other municipalities, constantly faces enormous challenges regarding the electrification of new approved housing projects that are implemented by the Western Cape Provincial Department of Human Settlements, such as Erf 325, Golden Valley and Thembalethu UISP.
George Municipality, that has the financial responsibility for the supply of services such as water and electricity, is reliant on grant funding. However, there is currently not sufficient grant funding for the existing approved housing projects.
The immense growth in illegal informal housing in areas such as All Bricks and surrounding areas of Thembalethu, as well as Moeggeploeg and Moeggehuur in Pacaltsdorp, has increased the funding deficit. In addition, ongoing illegal connections have increased the damage to the overall electrical infrastructure. In an effort to formalise the provision of electrical services to informal settlements, the electrotechnical department has recommended that a multi-disciplinary task team be established to draft the minimum criteria that will be adhered to for the electrification of informal areas in the future.
The electrification of Moeggehuur forms part of the three urgent short-term electrification projects that were prioritised accordingly by Council in March in terms of the R800 000 available budget for the 2020/21 financial year. Moeggehuur (Erf 2732 Bluegum Street in Pacaltsdorp) was illegally invaded in February 2019. Since then, 58 households have been electrified, with beneficiaries over 60 and/or disabled addressed first. The cost of electrification per structure is between R10 000 and R13 000.
Mayor Leon Van Wyk visited the site last week to meet with the consultants, contractors and electrotechnical directorate employees to understand the progress on the project, to review the challenges being experienced and to walk part of the area to see the condition of the network that has been installed.
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