For years, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has warned that the water infrastructure of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (NMBM) is decaying due to backlogged maintenance, poor governance and inadequate planning.
The latest crisis revealed that the problem runs much deeper than the recent floods, as the floods merely exposed the underlying failures of the Metro’s water system.
Residents in areas such as KwaNobuhle are complaining that their tap water is brown, cloudy and foamy, while thousands of households elsewhere have had their taps run dry for days.
Reservoirs such as Rosedale, Lovemore Heights and Upper Tank currently stand at 0%, while others are critically low (Airport 1%, Gelvandale 6%, Chelsea and Emerald Hill 8%).
What is even more alarming is that the Metro has spent only 22% of its capital budget for infrastructure and is, consequently, set to return approximately R236 million in infrastructure grants to the National Treasury (NT) due to poor implementation.
Meanwhile, the Water Directorate has a vacancy rate of 44%, with only three out of 73 critical positions filled since May.
The Metro itself has admitted that it needs more than R117 million to rehabilitate its water treatment works. Such an investment should have been made systematically over the course of years.
The Freedom Front Plus demands a comprehensive infrastructure recovery plan that focuses on preventative maintenance, the swift appointment of qualified staff, effective project management and appropriate spending of all available funds. Water is a basic service, and residents deserve a reliable supply of clean drinking water.
In addition, stringent consequence management is needed. Where negligence or poor management contributed to the crisis, the relevant officials and political leaders should be held accountable.
On 4 November, Nelson Mandela Bay residents have the opportunity to choose wisely.
By voting for the Freedom Front Plus, they can put an end to years of maladministration, poor service delivery and the ongoing deterioration of basic infrastructure such as water.
It is time for residents to use their vote to elect a municipality that prioritises their needs.
FF+ Manifesto on Economic freedom: Promoting free-market principles and economic growth.
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