A R14 MILLION electrification project is underway at the Ekukhanyeni Informal Settlement in ward 15. The contractor appointed to carry out the project has commenced with the work that will benefit 1 700 households.

On 18 February, eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda officially rolled out the project and introduced the contractor to the community. The project is part of the Municipality’s continued efforts of improving residents’ living conditions and reducing the number of fatalities and faults caused by illegal connections.

Mayor Kaunda said the project is part of the commitment he made in last year’s budget speech that by the end of this year, the Municipality will have electrified a total of 24 informal settlements at an estimated cost of R51 million.

“We are doing these legal connections so that people can desist from stealing electricity as this impacts negatively on our infrastructure,” said Mayor Kaunda.

The Municipality spends approximately R40 million on the replacement of damaged transformers annually, he said.

Informal settlements to be electrified include Amatikwe, Mshayazafe, Emmaus and Bottlebrush.

“In the previous financial year, the Municipality spent R71m to electrify 6 000 households in areas such as Uganda, Palmiet, Siyanda, Blackburn, Mpola and Marrianridge,” said Mayor Kaunda.

On the same day, Mayor Kaunda conducted an oversight visit to assess the progress that has been made in the construction of the eTshelimnyama Library.

“We are impressed with the progress that has been made and we are happy that the library is now 80 percent complete. It is vital to have this facility in eTshelimnyama as there were no resources for residents, especially young people, to do their schoolwork,” said Mayor Kaunda.

He said the community of eTshelimnyama can expect the library to be opened next month.