R160m city power upgrade

18 September, 2007

By Siyabonga Maphumulo

The city is to spend about R160-million on improving electricity infrastructure in the next three years. At the last full council meeting it was
agreed that to cater for the increased demand from the public and industry, two new power supply substations be built in the city.

The first 132/11kv substation is to be built at Reunion, in the south of the city, at an estimated cost of R92- million. It will meet the increased demand for electricity supply by the nearby Sapref oil refinery. A similar sub-station is to be built in Sydenham for R68-million to cater for the
surrounding areas. Despite this the Democratic Alliance’s Soobramoney Jaynathan tabled a motion complaining about the constant disruptions to power affecting some communities in eThekwini.

Soobramoney cited ageing infrastructure and a lack of trained staff as some of the reasons for power failures and called on the council’s executive
committee to investigate ways of minimising blackouts. The motion was however shot down by a majority after ANC councillors argued that the city was aware of the problem and was taking steps to rectify matters.

At the same meeting political parties also unanimously pledged their support to the granting of a R150-million loan to uShaka Marine World. The loan is to help the marine theme park onto steadier ground after a drop in profits resulted in the park not being able to pay off its debt to Citibank and the Development Bank of South Africa.

The park intends building a further 1 400 parking bays to remedy a parking shortage. It was agreed that a yearly donation of R19-million, starting in the 2007/2008 financial year, be made to the South African Association of Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), which is based at uShaka. The donation to the research institute is to be made from the city’s Grant-in-Aid purse, which helps Section 21, non-profit organisations.

A report to council said that SAAMBR had contributed to uShaka’s financial woes as it relied on the theme park for funding.
MaphumuloSiya@durban.gov.za

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