[GALLERY + VIDEO]: Optic fibre installation causes an inconvenience to residents
Alberton North’s optic fibre installation has had its residents vent their frustration since the commencement of the project due to damages they have experienced.
The installation of optic fibre has left residents frustrated because of all the damages they had to endure.
Metro Fibre Networx’s subcontractor ValoWorx is in the process of bringing fibre infrastructure to Verwoerdpark and Florentia.
According to Vaughn Taylor, head of AfriForum Alberton, this has adversely affected residents.
Taylor told the RECORD that since the installation commenced about three weeks ago, they have had residents voicing their frustration.
He said the installation of the fibre resulted to people being left in the dark for days and experiencing water shortages.
“Since the group has been busy with installations, they have hit electric cables and damaged water lines, leaving residents without power and water for hours.
“Even our roads are affected. People are complaining about their tyres getting damaged due to trenches,” he said.
He also said the municipality was not to be blamed as the damage in roads and in residents’ yards was mainly caused by the fibre installation.
Taylor also commended Ward 37 councillor Tiaan Kotze for escalating the complaints of residents.
Johan Cronje, project manager for Metro Fibre Networx’s, said: “Our subcontractor, ValoWorx, has obtained permission from the Ekurhuleni City Council, known as a way leave to install the fibre network on and under pavements and roads in the area.”
All civil work was reported to being completed on November 22 and restoration will be completed before December 3.
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Way forward
Getting fibre into these areas means they will physically dig up roads and pavements to install the network to reach the wider community.
Johan Cronje said: “Trenching up pavements and roads also runs the inherent risk of hitting and damaging other utilities that are buried underground.
“With respect to the damaged services in the area, MetroFibre has disclosed instances where damage has occurred to the relevant service provider.
“MetroFibre is not allowed to fix damages to a facility belonging to another service provider, the council or any municipality. These repairs must be done by the service provider concerned.”
However, Cronje said they will be restoring the affected areas, including damaged driveways to their original state.
“We appreciate that this is inconvenient and messy, but we would like to assure residents that affected areas will be restored as soon as the civil work is completed.
“Recent rains have also delayed our ability to restore roads and pavements as quickly as we would have liked,” said Cronje.
MetroFibre apologises to the community for any inconveniences and urges residents with any issues to contact them directly at complaints@metrofibre.co.za, where all complaints will be addressed.
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