19 October 2011
Posted in
TameNews
Following questions to Council, Democratic Alliance (DA) Proportional Councillor in the Ekurhuleni Metro, Geoff Fenn, has revealed that residents of Alberton, Germiston and Springs are most likely to receive municipal accounts based on interim water and electricity readings.
“Between 10% and 15% of municipal accounts issued in Alberton and Germiston include charges based on so-called interim readings, while a whopping 28% of the electricity charges included in municipal accounts in Springs is based on interim readings,” Clr. Fenn explained. “In Edenvale, Kempton Park and Nigel, on the other hand, the percentage of interim readings included in municipal accounts is considerably lower.”
Clr. Fenn added that from the above information provided in response to his written questions to Council he could only conclude that some factor other than the accessibility of meters was playing a role in the frequency with which residents of certain areas received accounts based on interim readings.
“The Ekurhuleni Metro needs to establish why the number of interim readings that residents receive appears to be determined by the area in which they live. One of the questions that must be asked in this regard is if Motla Engineering, the company contracted to handle meter readings in Ekurhuleni, is complying with the minimum standards stipulated in their contract,” Clr. Fenn said.“This company was paid R26 million for their services last year, and the efficient, effective and correct reading of meters impacts directly on the quality of service that is delivered to residents. It is therefore crucial that all problems are resolved promptly.”
Residents who wish to submit their own readings may do so on the website www.motla.co.za.