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Organised business welcomes hefty charges for damaged municipal cables

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The Business community has welcomed a decision by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to implement hefty charges against contractors who damage municipal cables in the city.

During a Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Council meeting last month, Council approved miscellaneous charges – with effect from 1 September 2016 – for contractors who damage electricity cables in the Metro. These damaged cables have a detrimental effect – not only on the municipality – but also on businesses operating in Nelson Mandela Bay.

In particular big businesses can ill afford disruptions in power supply to industry, due to damaged cables which hamper the manufacturing base of our city, said Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber CEO Kevin Hustler.

Electricity and Energy Task Team Chairman Angus Clark said the implementation of the miscellaneous charges will ensure that the many contractors digging in municipal servitudes adhere to the service drawings that are provided to them as part of their contract.

“In the past contractors have damaged services without consequence and many have ignored the drawings provided or have not dug pilot holes to establish the exact location of services. They have simply dug there trenches with mechanical devices often damaging high voltage cables, water lines and sewers without concern to the users of these services and the cost to industry as a result of power outages, power dips or interruption to water. We are very happy with this inclusion and positive that it will go a long way in improving the reliability of our utility services,” Clark said.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.