Delays to full reopening of Lillian Ngoyi Street
The City of Johannesburg has officially completed the first phase of the Lillian Ngoyi (Bree Street) construction but it will only operate from September 12.
Image: Kamogelo Moichela/IOL News
City of Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero said that more than two years after an explosion caused significant damage to Lillian Ngoyi street, the city is on course to launch phase one of the rehabilitation programme by September 12.
This comes amid consistent delays to the completion of the project.
"The project's budget status is clear. The contractor's appointment value stands at R192 million, with R82 million already disbursed to cover Work Package 1. This leaves a remaining balance of R110 million earmarked for Work Package 2," Morero said.
Reacting to the ballooning costs, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku said the DA in Johannesburg is outraged, accusing Morero of 'willfully misleading Joburg residents over the spiralling costs and shifting deadlines of the Lilian Ngoyi Road upgrade'.
"The initial contract was worth R172 million, with R22 million spent for just 22% of the work. A new R192 million contract was then signed to complete the remaining 78%. This brings the total to R215 million across two contractors, already R40 million over budget.
"The original completion date of December 2024 was extended to July 2025, then again to 31 August 2025, and today, the City claims that “Phase 1” has been launched. But the road is not ready for traffic. What exactly has been launched today?" said Kayser-Echeozonjoku.
On Monday, Morero presided over the media launch - a 2023 gas explosion caused parts of the precinct to be shut down for renovations.
Some residents and business owners whose lives and livelihoods were affected by the explosion have welcomed the news despite the negative effects the explosion had on their businesses.
"It is a little too late because our businesses have suffered. What took them this long to have the work completed? This should not have taken two years to complete. Even now, it is not fully completed, and our businesses have suffered for extended periods of time," said Edwin Pillay, who owns a fashion store on Lillian Ngoyi Street.
Munengi Madiba, a worker and a resident who stays in one of the apartments, revealed that crime had become unbearable, with the shop he works in having only recently reopened to business.
"We have not been earning a living for more than two years. This shop has only just started working, and crime has been a major issue in the street with criminals doing as they please, even robbing and stabbing people in broad daylight. Government has done nothing for us since the day of the explosion," Madiba stated.
Morero said he is confident that the new September 12 deadline will be met, where everyone will have full access to the precinct.
“At the moment, there are a few things that still need to be done. So, we will open the road. However, the contractors need to finalise work on the sidewalk, and on September 12, all cars and everybody will have full access,” he said.
Salim Muhammad, another business owner, welcomed the re-opening of some of the sidewalks, adding that even though for two years their businesses suffered, they expect business to return to full capacity.
"We are glad that soon we will have full access to our businesses and will be able to make up for the two years where our businesses were not making enough money. Our landlords still expected their full rental fees, regardless of the situation we faced," he said.