The City’s Transport and Urban Development Authority, in partnership with the Development Bank of South Africa, has invested over R6 million in the retrofitting of ceilings for 363 houses in Silver City, Athlone.
The contractor is scheduled to commence work today, 3 August 2017, and it is expected to finish the project within the next five weeks.
The purpose of this contract is to enhance the existing houses for the benefit of the occupants by including thermal insulation in government-subsidised houses that were not fitted with ceilings when they were built between 1994 and 2005.
The ceiling retrofit project serves a multi-purpose. It addresses the issue of waterproofing and provides the home with proper and safe lighting connections with new distribution board installation as well.
Waterproofing preserves the installed ceilings while proper lighting secures it for the occupant.
‘We are rendering a service that has multiple benefits for the residents. This is a commitment we have made with the adoption of the City’s new Organisational Development and Transformation Plan which places the resident at the centre of service delivery. Everything we do is aimed at improving basic service delivery to our residents and this project has an immediate effect on the well-being and living standard of those who have been living in houses without ceilings for more than two decades,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport and Urban Development, Councillor Brett Herron.
Residents will also save money because they will not have additional costs to heat their houses in winter, or to keep the fan on during summer. The installation of the ceiling provides a thermal balance, meaning, extreme temperatures are better regulated.
‘This is one of the ways that we are living up to the City’s pillars as a caring, safe and well-run city. We are ensuring that we are delivering a quality service that will have a safety, health and monetary return for our residents,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee for Area Central, Councillor Siyabulela Mamkeli.