Surprise water bill ‘gift’ for Bay’s heavy users

Following the recent rains that brought some relief to the drought-ravaged Bay, the metro has relaxed its tariffs for residents who overuse water.

The switch from Part C punitive tariffs to Part B – which is likely to lower the cost of water for residents, particularly heavy users – was announced by mayor Mongameli Bobani on Friday.

Bobani was speaking at a media briefing held in New Brighton, where he outlined his priorities for his first 100 days in office.

A day after the Port Elizabeth High Court declared his election legitimate, Bobani said he brought news that would make residents very happy.

The move would usher in discounted rates for residential consumers who use more than the allotted 50 litres a day.

“In Part C, water tariffs up to [the first] 0.5kl [were] R17.23, where in Part B residents will be paying R13.75 [for the first 0.4 kl]. The difference will be in their pockets.

“[For the next] 0.3kl, they were paying R34.84 in Part C; now in Part B [for the next 0.4kl], they will pay R17.24.”

Bobani said that for the next 0.8kl above this usage, consumers would pay R38.33 instead of the previous R69.68, and that additional consumption after that would now cost R116.14 instead of R232.28.

The rates for government departments and commercial users remained fixed.

Restrictions would also remain in place, though Bobani and infrastructure and engineering head Andile Lungisa were positive of more rain in the coming months.

“It’s going to rain until March,” Lungisa said. “We have enough catchment areas, and there are a number of water sources we haven’t used.”

Bobani also said it was a priority to bring dignity to residents who still use the bucket system. “It’s a human indignity. We can assure you that’s going to come to an end.”

Following a two-day planning session with various directorates, Bobani presented a list of projects in the pipeline.

These included supporting the waterfront development project – and the moving of manganese ore to the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ) that would precede it – as well as an international convention centre and the revamp and extension of the Port Elizabeth International Airport.

Chief whip Bicks Ndoni acknowledged that these projects would largely be the responsibility of different state agencies, including Airports Company South Africa and Transnet.

“All we are doing is trying to co-ordinate projects,” he said.

Bobani said the metro intended to collaborate with various entities to promote investment and job creation.

“We will investigate the opportunities of setting aside 30% of the [municipality’s] capital budget to undertake programmes and projects which will benefit local SMMEs.”

Special attention will be given to strategic projects in the townships, as well as in Uitenhage and the northern areas – with a view to turn Gelvandale into a sports capital through the Mandela Bay Development Agency and the Helenvale urban renewal programme.

Bobani vowed to root out corruption in the municipality.

“This government is not going to tolerate corruption. We don’t want to interfere with the administration, but we have instructed them that we want these matters [relating to suspended officials] finalised.”