Mayoral Committee member, Councillor Lovemore, introduced six of the seven plumbers that will be helping Nelson Mandela Bay fight water leaks on Thursday.
"The new plumbers commenced their tenure with the Nelson Mandela Bay on 1 December. They are settling in, being orientated and getting to know our metro and its demands. Within the ext week, they will be fixing leaks." Cllr Lovemore said.
Lovemore added that they will be advertising to fill more vacancies in the new year.
She also said, "Our municipality is woefully short of these artisans. Where we should have 54 plumbers in our Water and Sanitation Directorate, we only have 21. It is simply impossible to win the war on leaks under such circumstances."
"Not only have we appointed plumbers - the first seven of many more- but we have filled superintendent posts, which will allow enhancing management of our task," Lovemore added.
The municipality also appointed contractors to help blitz the backlog and get leaking turnaround time down to acceptable levels.
"We wish our new plumbers a long, productive and happy stay with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. We Hope that every resident of the Metro will see the difference their presence will make." Lovemore concluded.
NMB executive mayor Athol Trollip, who arrived late due to other commitments, said "This is a war we have to win. Your role as plumbers is critical. You have been entrusted to keeping our people alive."
After which he shook each plumbers hand thanked them for being part of the team.
TIPS AND TRICKS TO SAVE WATER
Dr Walter Shaidi, Executive Director of Infrastructure and Engineering, gave examples of how to save water.
