R14m Nkandla Disaster Management Centre construction set to commence
The site of the R14-million Nkandla Disaster Management Centre has been earmarked, with construction set to begin next month.
Residents and businesses have for years suffered losses due to wildfires, with Nkandla and its surrounding areas highly prone to such disasters due to the bushy terrain and dense forests.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Fires destroy homes in rural KZN
This prompted Cogta MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi to prioritise the centre, the site of which he visited with Nkandla Mayor Nonhlanhla Nzuza last Thursday.
'Our team will work closely with the municipality to ensure the land is suitable for the structure and that it can accommodate all the required resources for the Disaster Management Centre, such as fire engines,' said Buthelezi.
'The project will also create job opportunities and skills development, as local youth will receive firefighting training.'
He said King Cetshwayo District Municipality has received a donation of fire engines from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
'We will request that some of these fire engines be stationed here in Nkandla to assist local communities and businesses.'
Expressing her appreciation, Nzuza, said, 'This is a major boost for our communities. For many years, wildfires have destroyed livestock, grazing fields and homes because we do not have fire engines in Nkandla.
'We hope this project will attract investment to our town and strengthen our disaster management capacity.'
Buthelezi also announced the expansion of the electrification project in Maphumulo and Nkandla to connect some 60 households to the grid.
He said the department aims to complete the electrification projects by December.
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