File
Residents living in shacks in the Westville informal settlement in Nelson Mandela Bay are now able to use electricity for the first time.
On Monday mayoral committee member for Electricity and Energy, Luxolo Namette, switched on the power to their homes near KwaDwesi, as part of an ongoing electrification programme.
He said the Metro continues to experience a high demand for housing, and with a backlog of approximately 80 000 units, there had been a mushrooming of informal settlements across the City.
Namette said the City has already electrified 1000 shacks out of a total of 1200 in Westville, with the balance due to be completed before the end of February.
Work is already in progress in areas like Motherwell and Ikamvelihle.
"As government we have to follow the money. Make sure that projects are delivered as promised. I am here to switch on the electricity and update the residents about the remaining shacks that still need electrification," he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Nomonde Gwedashe, said; “I am happy that I can switch on legally and safely."
The Metro said the electrification of shacks would continue for the duration of the year, with more than 4000 shacks set to be electrified.
