Today, 2 May 2019, I had the privilege of switching on 50 newly installed street lights in Protea Glen, South of Johannesburg, benefiting households specifically along George Saches Road.
This R 930 000 project by City Power, that took just over a month to complete, now allows residents using this road to have a safer commute at night for the first time in 20 years.
This is a victory for the safety of the Protea Glen community. Previously, the road was not only unsafe for residents but also made responding to emergencies difficult for law enforcement agencies and emergency personnel at night.
The City of Johannesburg will continue to focus its efforts toward improving the lives of our forgotten communities, and through quality service delivery we are able to bring real meaningful change.
The streetlights installed in this project consist of an overhead aerial bundle conductor (ABC) cable made of aluminium, which mitigates against cable theft. The lights consist of 47 energy efficient LED (light emitting diode) and 3 high pressure sodium (HPS) luminaires installed on them.
City Power also installed photo cells in the streetlights to ensure that they automatically switch on at night and off during the day.
We have set aside R45 million during this financial year to install new streetlights across the City, as well as in informal settlements. Through our commitment to ensure a responsive and pro-poor government, 50% of all new streetlights installed were installed by City Power in the current and last financial years, despite Soweto being an Eskom supplied area.
As we continue to strive to deliver quality basic services to residents of Johannesburg, we also encourage residents to report vandalism of our infrastructure, including that of street lights, so that we can ensure speedy repair and restoration.
If residents suspect any vandalism or criminality, they can report it anonymously to 0800 002 587. Residents can also report non-functioning streetlights to 0860 562 874 or log a call on citypower.mobi
This administration will continue to tackle basic infrastructure backlogs.
I would also like to thank the members of our coalition government, the IFP, ACDP, COPE, UDM and Freedom Front Plus for their continued support in bringing change to the residents of our city.
Though not a member of our coalition, my thanks also goes to the EFF, who votes with us on an issue by issue basis, for their efforts in helping to bring services to our residents.
For media queries:
Chantelle Fourie-Shawe
Media Specialist: Office of the Executive Mayor
chantellef@joburg.org.za
081 546 1014
