Municipality hands over sewage plant in Marselle
ROB KNOWLES
NDLAMBE municipality handed over a new sewage plant to the residents of Marselle on Monday.
About 150 residents attended the celebratory party held at the Marselle community hall. With the preponderance of ANC flags, T-shirts, jackets and other paraphernalia the meeting could have been mistaken for a party gathering rather than a municipal event.
| SEWAGE CONTROL: Cutting the ribbon at the opening of the new Marselle sewage ponds on Monday were Chris Gidana (left), project manager for Give Ziyawa, the main contractor, and Ndlambe mayor Sipho Tandani Picture: ROB KNOWLES |
The municipality was almost taken to court by an angry farmer in the area who complained that sewage from the township was seeping into his dam. Responsibility for the construction of the new ponds was awarded to Eastern Cape construction company, Give Ziyawa, at a total cost of R17-million.
"The mayor's executive committee is here with me today, as well as the Cacadu councillor and former mayor (Vukile Balura) and other dignitaries,” said Tandani before cutting the ribbon and declaring the plant officially open for business.
"The new bulk sewage system is for the greater Marselle area, and everyone can now be connected to mains sewerage. This has been possible through the money supplied through MIG (municipal infrastructure grant).
"We will be rolling out mains sewerage to the indigent people of the area, but other residents who can afford to do so will have to connect themselves to the system. The sewage line is supplied up to the boundary wall of each property, so it is now available to everyone.”
Ward 3 councillor Eric Khoathani was very pleased with the progress made by the municipality in answering the needs of the community.
A year ago Khoathani took TotT on a tour around Marselle to highlight some of the work being carried out there. At that time most of the councillor's plans were in the early stages but Khoathani was confident in improving the lot of Marselle residents.
"This is a result of all our hard work,” said Khoathani, adding there were still more things he was busy with to help his constituents.
