Marina helps to fix potholes

PHOTO: Freddy Williams, Patrick Swartz, Johnny Armoed, Israel Motlhogela, Andries Armoed and John Mandeka fix the potholes at the busy intersection of St Francis Drive and Woltemade Street.

Marina helps to fix potholes

THE Marina Martinique Homeowners’ Association has jumped in to help the municipality fix the flood-battered roads of Jeffreys Bay.

Vernon Heunis, manager of the association, said five tons of tar had been ordered to fill potholes along the main routes of the town.

“The recent heavy rains caused severe damage to the roads. The municipality cannot carry the burden of fixing this flood damage on its own. That’s why our association decided to help with the pothole repairs,” he explained. “We care about the town and want to work with the municipality for the betterment of Jeffreys Bay.”

Heunis said he was overwhelmed by the warm reception he received from the municipality when he approached them with the offer.

“We didn’t know what to expect. In fact, we thought we might be turned away. Instead, we experienced nothing but sincere gratitude for our initiative. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with the municipal staff,” he said.   

Workers from the Marina started filling holes on Friday last week. With the municipal strike called off locally, municipal workers will also be taking to the streets this week to repair the damage that was caused by several bouts of heavy rain over the past four months.

Kouga Executive Mayor Booi Koerat expressed his gratitude to the Marina Martinique Homeowners’ Association for their willingness to help with repairs.

“We are happy to support initiatives such as these which aim to improve the area and the lives of our communities,” he said.

He said the municipality had submitted an application of some R104-million for flood damage relief to the district municipality in July.

“We are, however, committed to repairing as much of the flood damage as possible with our own funds while the application is being processed.”

He said the municipality had also alerted the Department of Roads and Transport to the condition of Da Gama Road, which is a provincial road and under care of the Department.