On Wednesday the Executive Mayor Zanoxolo Wayile announced the implementation of a Rapid Response Task Team (RRTT) after witnessing major shortcomings in impoverished areas of Nelson Mandela Bay during his five day community visits.
Mayor Wayile, who led a team of his Mayoral Committee members and senior officials on the visits, said the RRTT will follow up on progress made with the issues highlighted.
The team will be accountable to the Acting Municipal Manager, Mr Elias Ntoba, who will have to follow up on issues of gross negligence and poor work ethic.
On Wednesday, the visits were carried out by the high powered delegation in most parts of the Motherwell Township where problems such as severe water leakages, sewage problems, blockages and illegal dumping sites were experienced.
Furthermore playgrounds were not maintained including the newly built Motherwell Multipurpose Community Centre that is still without sports equipment and furniture.
In some instances the drainage system has been exposing communities to unbearable living conditions especially in Kamvelihle. The polluted Motherwell Canal and issues relating to illegal dumping which affect the environment adversely needs to be addressed.
Following the visit to Motherwell, Mayor Wayile made the following statement:
First and foremost, it is clear that there has been cooperation from Councillors and various grassroots structures that showed a sense of enthusiasm and appreciation for this programme.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and its residents are facing a serious situation with the prevailing drought and as a result a major emphasis is put on publicity and awareness programmes which are done to ensure that all sectors preserve water.
However, I am deeply shocked and feel insulted by the negligence and a lack of care from some staff members which has been exposed by our visits.
Community-driven structures like health committees, housing and environmental programmes must be established as a matter of urgency with the community as the custodians.
Some of the problems related to human settlements are compounded due to poor planning from service providers. This leads to long delays when it comes to the completion of projects.
We need to urgently introduce remedial steps to ensure that the situation is turned around rapidly.
Although our initial intention with the visits was to address urgent infrastructural defects, it became evident that great unemployment and lack of skilling programmes for young women in particular exist and needs immediate attention.
After three grueling days it is clear that we can indeed sort prevalent issues out and also get it right.
Some of our officials have not been exposed to the unbearable conditions that we face. This is giving us ammunition to ensure that a culture of proper planning and an integrated approach in matters of social and economic development is adopted. I hope this will become an integral part of this organization.
This culture must be uncalculated* and enforced on politicians and officials alike. We must develop plans and proposals which are scientific and must be presented to myself as the Executive Mayor by the Acting Municipal Manager and the relevant Directorates in terms of a turnaround strategy. It must be well researched accompanied by a comprehensive budget so that we can identify money.
We must find a way to collaborate with other departments such as state owned enterprises in our endeavour to roll back the frontiers of poverty and inequalities as outlined in service delivery agreement – coined as Outcome 9 – signed with Minister Sicelo Shiceka whereby all departments must prioritize the allocation of resources.
We will also work with private sector and speed up service delivery and share resources and expertise.
On Thursday 24 February the team and I will head out to the Northern Areas at 12pm so that we can see their living conditions for ourselves.
We anticipate similar problems especially problems such as backyard shackers. Shoddy or poor workmanship on housing developments will be exposed especially in Timothy Valley. We are also expecting social ills like unemployment, poverty, inequality, drug and alcohol abuse similar to the issues we have been exposed to thus far.
We thank the people of Nelson Mandela Bay for their commitment and support including Ward Councillors for giving us a profile of the areas visited.
I continue to encourage the people of Nelson Mandela Bay to make everyday a Nelson Mandela Day since this annual initiative aims to instill community participation and volunteerism to ensure a better life for all.
Editors Notes: Sir I beg you with tears in my bloodshot eyes, please, not ANOTHER bloody task team. This time around I think that I have a valid concern – by their very nature task teams blast in, fix and leave in short shrift.
Service delivery problems are a fundamental function of local government that demands a complete culture and attitude change, this vital function demands a strong solid base from which we can build our city upon. If we get the basics wrong, as we are doing now, then we are on a short path to poverty and destruction.
* We need to inculculate a service ethic within our officials and staff that will demonstrate a caring local government and not one of; “I have the job and no-one can take it away from me if I do not deliver proper service to my fellow citizens!”
Alan Straton
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