Villages get toilets
By Tabisa Mntengwana
19 May 2010
VILLAGES in the Tsholomnqa area have received ventilated improved pit (VIP) toilets, thanks to a donation from Buffalo City.
On Thursday, 13 May, the City handed over the VIP toilets to 25 villages at the Vostile Community Hall in Tsholomnqa Village. A number of beneficiaries flocked to the hall to thank the City and officially receive their VIP toilets.
The project was funded by the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, at a cost of R25-million.
Speaking at the event, the portfolio head for engineering services, Nomiki Mgezi, said: “This is an interpretation of the Constitution; this is local government creating a better life for citizens. I am going to advocate for a programme of sustenance for these toilets, so that the condition that they are in now does not deteriorate.”
The households served with toilets number 5 007 in 25 Tsholomnqa villages, such as Kiwane, Maxenza and Vostile. The project was started in November 2005 and construction was completed at the beginning of May this year.
This is in line with the projected completion date of June 2010, as the project was to be completed over five years. Health and hygiene education and training has already been done at 4 830 of the toilets.
The project created jobs within the community, as it used the services of 61 male builders, 10 female builders, six male staff, eight female staff and eight female health and hygiene field workers.
“The day was marked by the presentation of certificates by the contracted service provider to the builders, who were trained and employed during the course of the project.”
Mgezi also emphasised the importance of realising the project’s objective. “The objective of the project is to improve health through the provision of sanitation services. As the municipality we urge you to use these toilets in a proper manner and practice good hygiene.”
The Sanitation Project Steering Committee chairperson, Nokwakha Tshotyana, was overwhelmed with joy and said: “I want to thank the committee that I worked with. We worked very hard and managed to overcome each challenge as it came along. I am sure that I am speaking for everyone when I say thank you Buffalo City, this means a lot to us.”
The contracted service provider also donated a new kit to a local rugby team.
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