COGHSTA Portfolio Committee, their first oversight visit to the Emanzana Water Treatment Works.
The Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affair’s (COGHSTA) Portfolio Committee, took its first oversight visit to the Emanzana Water Treatment Works in Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality (CALM) on February 26.
This was to monitor progress. The R80 million project is funded by COGHSTA for Manzana’s community with its population of 247 664.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Daniel Nkosi, welcomed all stakeholders and outlined the role of the Legislature.
After the Pre-Taking Legislature to the People (Pre-TLP) Programme, he said another TLP would take place from March 23 to 27, during which time more projects would be visited. Cllr Precious Hlatshwayo thanked Mpumalanga’s Provincial Legislature for electing CALM for the TLP.
During the presentation of a detailed report on the project, COGHSTA’s Director for Water Services, Sindelwa Ndimande, Bongani Thela, Director for Technical Services and the Site Engineer, said the project was generally going well, but lack of funding was delaying completion. The project was expected to be completed in three years, but due to insufficient funds, might miss the deadline.
After the presentation and in-loco inspection, the Committee raised a number of issues.
These included questions why the project was not prioritised and properly funded and whether skills transfer to locals was considered.
It was also discussed how the department and municipality plan to address the reported 11, 9% water backlog and prioritisation of the project.
The Committee also discussed implications of the project not finishing on time, the need for clearly specified outstanding elements and mitigating possible vandalism.
In response, the municipality assured the Committee they would do their utmost to ensure this important project would be completed on time. CALM also said a Project Steering Committee was overseeing the-day-to-day running of it.
Regarding construction material issues, CALM assured the Committee a plan is in place to allow municipal service suppliers rather than relying on the current supplier in Ermelo.
They even committed to undertake all issues regarding the project, including cleanliness, paving and other related measures.
The Committee told the Department and municipality to submit a detailed written report within seven days of the oversight visit, detailing how and when the questions raised, would be resolved.
