OTTAWA RESIDENTS EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT CONTINUED DEGENERATION

Concerned ratepayers and residents have once again drawn the attention of the Ethekwini Mayor, Ms Zandile Gumede, about the continued degeneration of the environment of their residential area. They have pointed out that the degeneration is caused mainly by: i). the litter and rubbish strewn on the main road running through the town; ii). the numerous motor scrap yards on both sides of the main road;

iii). huge trucks driving through the residential Munn Road, Riverview Road, Maharaj Road and Kisson Road; iv). a huge container depot at the far end of Riverview Road; v). huge trucks parked in several properties in Riverview Road and at the far end of Kisson Road; vi). the terrible smell and stink that emanates from the nearby municipal septic dam from across the river; vii). the animal business that has been built on land reclaimed from the river near the Ottawa bridge; and viii). the total destruction of the Ottawa river through unscrupulous truck owners dumping sand and rubbish into the river. The residents pointed out that following their earlier written complaints and reports in the media, it has been noticed that the municipality has tried to pick up the litter and rubbish “but the litter bugs and other culprits continue with their destruction of the environment”. The residents called on the municipality to immediately set up concrete bins at several spots on the main road and on the residential roads in order to encourage the “don’t care” people to use the bins for their litter and rubbish. The residents added: “It has also been noticed that one recently-opened panel beating shop at the corner of School Road and Munn Road has closed shop after concerns expressed to the municipality by our residents. “But the main culprits who are destroying our residential roads and environment through their huge trucks are continuing unconcerned with their evil and illegal deeds. “This huge truck (picture attached) was caught on camera by one of our residents driving through Munn Road to the container depot at the far end of Riverview Road. Huge trucks like this, ferrying containers, is not only dangerous to the residents in Munn and Riverview roads but also contributes to the destruction of the tarred roads and electricity cables and poles. “We want to appeal to the municipal authorities to take immediate action to restore the residential nature of our areas. All trucking, container, and heavy industries must be moved out of our residential area immediately to industrial locations where they could operate without destroying the environment. “:Heavy industries must be re-located and not allowed to operate in residential areas. Please act immediately,” said the residents. Ends – January 24 2017