By Nangamso Mabindla
21 February 2006

A NEW R1,4-million Disaster Management Centre was opened by the municipality on Monday, 20 February.

Through the centre, the City aims to improve its disaster management services. Owen Becker, of the disaster management unit, said the previous centre had operated from smaller offices and there was a need for more space.

"Disaster management has operated out of smaller offices since its establishment in 1986," he said.

However, the amalgamation of Bhisho, East London and King William's Town into Buffalo City in 2000 and the passing of a Disaster Management Act had greatly increased the roles and responsibilities of the centre.

"The 2002 floods highlighted the inadequacy of the centre in terms of space and facilities. We decided that we needed bigger and better offices in order to proudly serve our communities," Becker explained.

The Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) helped to conduct a feasibility study and prepare draft plans for a new centre. "We received initial funding from Sida for the refurbishment of the building we operate in at Fleet Street in East London. We used to operate out of flat two of the same building, but we have now moved to the other flats within the building."

The provincial government also provided funding for the City to improve its disaster management unit.

The centre consists of three separate units - the command and communication unit, the volunteer unit and the administrative unit.

Becker said the new centre would be further enhanced with computer hardware and software that would be provided as part of the national pilot project for the establishment of disaster management.

Opening the centre, Mayor Sindisile Maclean said he was happy that the City was committed to providing proper disaster management services. "It is another way of bringing services closer to our communities. I hope that this centre achieves its aims of helping our people in times of disaster," he said.