City of Joburg

Initiates rehabilitation of Lillian Ngoyi Street

Following the harrowing gas explosion that occurred in Lillian Ngoyi Street, the City has commenced a rehabilitation project that is currently in full swing with an anticipated completion by the end of the year.

Acting swiftly in prioritising this essential rehabilitation endeavour, the City has appointed a contractor and established a technical team, formalising an application to declare the affected area a disaster zone.

Since the incident, the technical team, working closely with City officials, has diligently worked on securing, recovering, and restoring Lillian Ngoyi Street. A significant milestone has been achieved with the official initiation of the construction phase, focusing on road redevelopment, service infrastructure, and associated amenities.

Aligned with the commitment outlined in the Friday, 13 October 2023 media briefing, the City has appointed a contractor, and construction is now underway, overseen by the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) through a robust 7-Stage Project Management process.

The planning and design stages, initiated on Tuesday, 22 August 2023, and concluded on Monday, 20 November 2023, encompassed crucial steps such as identifying impacted services, allocating budgets, and appointing a professional service provider.

The City is investing R196 million in professional fees and construction costs, covering roadworks, stormwater and services infrastructure, electrical, mechanical, and structural works.

The City’s swift approach to the disaster not only signifies its response to challenges, but also underscores the municipality’s commitment to the well-being of Joburg's residents.

The construction period spans from Thursday, 11 January 2024, to Sunday, 15 December 2024, with stringent oversight by the JRA to ensure adherence to timelines.

“Simultaneously, the City has submitted a disaster declaration application, seeking funding for the rehabilitation work. Despite the ongoing finalisation process with the province, recognising the urgency, the City has reallocated its budget to expedite rehabilitation efforts,” explains the Executive Mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda.

From the outset, the City demonstrated a swift response to the gas explosion, ensuring a streamlined supply chain management process to fast-track procurement for repairs.

The Quality Assurance Committee, led by the Group Chief Financial Officer, meticulously oversaw procurement processes, maintaining strict adherence to supply chain management and financial regulations.

Transparent and fair procedures, integrated with probity at every stage, underscored the City's commitment to accountability.

“We were very clear from the onset that we would waste no time in ensuring that we act with diligence and speed to ensure the speedy implementation of the supply chain management processes that would allow us to commence with the rehabilitation work,” Mayor Gwamanda notes.

As part of its commitment to safety, the City is actively assessing other service tunnels throughout the municipality to prevent future incidents. Designs for their upgrades are expected to be finalised in June 2024, with actual upgrades scheduled for the 2024–2025 financial year.

The City’s swift approach to this disaster not only signifies its response to challenges but also underscores the municipality’s commitment to the wellbeing of Joburg's residents. The Mayor remains committed to collaborating, acting with vision, and taking decisive actions to rebuild and elevate Joburg’s landscape.

“We remain committed to the betterment of our citizens’ lives by restoring dignity and ensuring a brighter future for all.” - Executive Mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda.