The City of Johannesburg' Department of Environment and Infrastructure Services (EISD) as led by Councillor Jack Sekwaila yesterday embarked on the campaign launch of what is called “The City that Never Sleeps”. This is a collaborative effort between the MMC Jack Sekwaila and all departmental entities namely, City Power, Pikitup and Joburg Water.
The campaign was also supported by the Department of Public Safety, Cllr Mgcini Tshwaku and Development Planning, Cllr Eunice Mgcina. Also present, was the MD of Pikitup, Mrs Bukelwa Njingolo, Pikitup Board Chair Maxwell Nedzamba, EISD ED Tebogo Modiba and board members of all entities. All ward councillors of the Inner-city were also present with their respective communities.
Due to security concerns, safety and security was of paramount important in the planning and implementation of this campaign. Private companies and organizations like the WCCA Organization, Badboys Security company and Legae la Rona also came out in numbers to support this cause.
“The night-shift staff of Pikitup are facing safety issues while cleaning certain streets. In most areas, streetlights are not working, especially in Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville, which are notorious for robberies. We are planning to request support from law enforcement agencies to help Pikitup staff and City Power to carry out their work during the night shift”.
“Our city is losing investors everyday due to its high crime rate and lack of cleanliness. I have requested the Public Safety MMC to join me in this initiative so that he can see the challenges facing the Inner-city. We need to speed up the process of finalizing the SLA between JMPD and Pikitup to enfource the bylaws”, said MMC Cllr Jack Sekwaila.
The issue of highjacked building was also highlighted by the MMC as the cause of illegal dumping due to the buildings not having owners to request bins and clean around the premises. Also, that they tend to habour criminals who vandalize streetlights and rob people in the dark.
The campaign focused on problematic streets that had no streetlights, pipe bursts, sewer network blockages and illegal dumping issues in Hillbrow and Berea areas.
The Department plans to have this as a fortnightly programme with KleenaJoburg campaign still continuing during the day.
The MMC Cllr Sekwaila called on all stakeholders interested in joining hands with the department to come forward as this campaign can change the face of what has now become of the “City of Gold”.
ENDS
Issued by Environment and Infrastructure Services Department
03/11/2023
