Energy Efficient Street-Lighting Creates Safe and Secure Environment for Lutzville | Western Cape Government

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Energy Efficient Street-Lighting Creates Safe and Secure Environment for Lutzville

18 August 2010

Today Anton Bredell, the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, visited his department's Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) programme's new street-lighting project in Lutzville West.

Although there were some street-lights in the area previously, the lighting was inadequate for the amount of people staying in the area. This project encompassed the installation of thirty-two (32) new poles, mounted with seventy watts (70W) energy efficient High Pressure Sodium (HPS) streetlights, and fed with new cables from an existing Eskom transformer point. A new metering point will be installed at the Eskom transformer for the purpose of this new Municipal street-lighting network.

Adequate street-lighting creates a safe and secure environment for the community and reduces criminal activity. A total number of one hundred and seventy (170) households will benefit from this project.

The total value of the project amounted to two hundred and fifty-three rand, and twenty-four cents (R 253,024), all of which was funded by MIG. It took approximately four (4) months to complete and will benefit an estimated eight hundred and fifty (850) people in the area.

"Maintaining Municipal infrastructure is very important to local government" said Minister Bredell, "Most people don't notice the well-lit roads we drive on and take for granted other infrastructure we use daily. It is crucial to maintain what we have, as well as to build new infrastructure to ensure that people have a safe and well-maintained living environment."

About the Municipal Infrastructure Grant:

The Municipal Infrastructure Grant is a conditional grant that supports municipalities with their capital budget and their Integrated Development Plans (IDP) to fund infrastructure, primarily benefiting poor households. Communities have to be involved in the IDP process and participated in the prioritising of projects aimed at improving their lives. It also creates jobs with labour intensive methods in line with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and Government's objective of eradicating poverty. The projects include building and upgrading of roads, storm water drainage, pipe lines, waste water works, bulk water provision, meters, pumps, reservoirs, fencing, lights, sport facilities, and infrastructure for cemeteries.

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