NELSON Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Gary van Niekerk, held a press conference recently to address the actions taken by local government to provide solutions for residents affected by the June flood.
He highlighted the progress made in providing solutions for those affected, particularly in the Kariega area.
“We were tested beyond measure, but managed to stand firm and did our utmost to keep fatalities to 11 souls,” said Van Niekerk.
“We provided shelter, warm meals, and supplies as part of our relief efforts.”
Van Niekerk explained that the National Disaster Management Centre classified the June weather incident as a disaster on June 11. Since then, the municipality has been working to provide solutions for those affected.
“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, and will be erecting bungalows soon for them,” he said.
The municipality has also established an emergency Joint Operations Centre to ensure that the situation is contained to the best of their ability.
Van Niekerk expressed gratitude to the officials and political leadership for their swift response to the disaster.
“We maintained the same vigilance in our quest to provide solutions for the most severely impacted by this weather event,” he said.
“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.”
The National Department of Human Settlements has paid for the temporary housing of affected families, especially the most vulnerable, in lodges, hotels, and overnight bed and breakfast facilities.
The cost of the bungalows that will be erected for the displaced families will also be covered by the department.
Executive Director for Human Settlements, Tabiso Mfeya, stated that the bungalows in Walmer Township will be electrified by the end of July, and that feedback from DEDEAT is imminent.
The municipality continues to hold daily Joint Operations Centre meetings, chaired by the Acting City Manager, and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Disaster Management Centre reports weekly to the Provincial Disaster Operations Centre.
