The Nelson Mandela Bay metro is facing a significant challenge with its streetlight infrastructure, as an estimated 10,000 out of 40,000 streetlights are not functioning. The municipal maintenance fleet is also currently out of operation, exacerbating the issue. According to the Democratic Alliance, 16 of the 27 cherry pickers are out of order, which will make maintenance nearly impossible.
The metro’s original contract for streetlight repair was set aside 15 months ago due to allegations of corruption and collusion, which are currently under investigation by the Special Investigating Unit. Since then, it is estimated that around 25% of the metro’s streetlights have stopped working and have not been replaced.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya stated that the metro is in the process of finalizing a new contract for streetlight repairs, which will require contractors to use their own equipment. The contractors are expected to commence work in the first week of October. Mayor Babalwa Lobishe previously mentioned during a meeting with the city’s spiritual leaders that the contracts were awarded in August, and the metro is currently negotiating service level agreements.
The mayor assured residents and stakeholders that the metro has taken decisive steps to address the backlog, undertaking a legally compliant procurement process. The significant number of non-functional streetlights poses a concern for safety and security in the area. The metro’s efforts to finalize the new contract and initiate repairs are crucial in restoring the streetlight infrastructure and ensuring the well-being of its residents.
The situation highlights the importance of efficient maintenance and repair of public infrastructure. The investigation into the allegations of corruption and collusion is ongoing, and the outcome may have implications for the metro’s future contracts and procurement processes. As the metro moves forward with the new contract, it is essential to ensure transparency and accountability in the repair and maintenance of its streetlight infrastructure.
