[Listen to Gary van Niekerk interview]
[Listen to the Executive Director for Human Settlements, Tabiso Mfeya interview]
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk spelled out the actions taken by the local government institution to provide solutions for residents affected by the June flood, this morning. His press conference follows uncertainty from some quarters regarding work done to address the displacement of families and damage to infrastructure that mostly affected the Kariega area.
“Work progressed well thus far to provide solutions after the devasting water mass plowed through Kariega, in particular. The classification of the June weather incident as a disaster was done by the National Disaster Management Centre on 11 June.
“Land has been identified for residents from the Lapland and McCarthy Informal Settlements. We applied for exemption from environmental legislative requirements to the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism yesterday (Wednesday, 10 July) and will erecting bungalows soon for them.
“We were tested beyond measure but managed to stand firm and did our utmost to keep fatalities to eleven souls.
“We also provided shelter, warm meals and supplies as part of our relief efforts.
“The notification from the South African Weather Office on the Friday predicted rain at level 2. We quickly realized that it was not going to be the case and assembled our resources after I contacted MMC Stag Mitchell to be on alert.
“Despite the weather prediction only being revised to level 6 on Sunday, the 2nd of June our First Responders had already established an emergency Joint Operations Centre the day before in Kariega.
“This was necessary to ensure that we contain the situation to the best of our ability. I am thankful to the officials and political leadership for answering the call without hesitation.
“We maintained the same vigilance in our quest to provide solutions for the most severely impacted by this weather event.
“An application for R448 404 000 in grant funding will be submitted to National Treasury this week, to supplement the emergency funding we managed to scrape together from our own resources.
“However, this excludes the funding needed for Human Settlements that will be obtained through other processes.
“We are continuing with daily Joint Operations Centre meetings, chaired by the Acting City Manager. Our Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Disaster Management Centre also reports weekly to the Provincial Disaster Operations Centre,” Executive Mayor Van Niekerk said.
The National Department of Human Settlements paid for the temporary housing of affected families, especially the most vulnerable in lodges, hotels and overnight Bed and Breakfast facilities. The bungalows that will be erected for the displaced families will also be covered by the department.
Executive Director for Human Settlements, Tabiso Mfeya, said the bungalows in Walmer Township, will be electrified by the end of July and that feedback from DEDEAT is imminent.
NMB Communications
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