Municipality seeks R180m lighting grant

THE Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has applied for a R180-million grant from the national government to light up dark roads.

The application has been lodged as the municipality is fighting a major cable-theft problem which has plunged highways and streets into darkness and is costing ratepayers millions of rands.

Councillors aired their frustrations on Friday at what they felt was no clear strategy from the city on how to tackle cable theft.

The municipality wants to roll out the same eco-friendly high-mast lighting programme it unveiled in Walmer township, but it lacks the necessary funds to do so.

DA councillor Sydney Smith lashed out at electricity and energy executive director Silby Matthew, saying the city was too dark. "Where is the programme to say we will address the dark areas?" Smith asked. - Rochelle de Kock