Concerns have been raised after construction of a new computer lab at the Beacon Bay Public Library appears to have ground to a halt.
The GO! & Express was first made aware of the issue in a letter sent in by a reader, who asked to remain anonymous.
According to the reader, a public meeting was held in September 2019 to discuss the 2019/2020 budget where the computer lab was earmarked for funding.
The lab was first listed as a ward priority back in 2016.
“The original deadline would’ve been at the end of the 2020 budget period, but due to the Covid-19 lockdown all projects had to be put on hold,” said ward 28 councillor Marion Mackley.
However, Mackley said that the lockdown didn’t explain why the computer lab, along with other ward projects, is so far behind schedule since BCM had four years to work on it before Covid-19 appeared.
In a Notice of Question submitted to the city council in January, Mackley pointed out that not a single project for ward 28 on the IDP Ward Priority list had been attended to.
“The five-year term of office for ward councillors expires in mid to late 2021, which leaves approximately six months in this term for such approved projects to be dealt with by council,” the notice reads.
In addition to the computer lab, other projects in ward 28 highlighted by Mackley include the fencing of Bonza Bay dune forests, installation of security cameras at the Bonza Bay parking area, replacing broken equipment at the Bonza Bay picnic site and the replacement of the picnic site’s road barriers.
Not a single project for ward 28 on the IDP Ward Priority list had been attended to
The DA, in the Notice of Question, called on BCM city manager Andile Sihlahla to provide detailed progress reports on the ward 28 priority projects as well as details on why the projects have either been stalled or not yet implemented.
BCM had not responded to a request for comment by print deadline.
