As mop-up operations continue in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality following the disastrous floods, the Metro has highlighted that more than R1billion worth of damage has been quantified so far following the official classification of the floods as a national disaster.

This report was made by NMBM Acting City Manager, Luvuyo Magalela, during a meeting led by the National Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department on Thursday, 6 June 2024 at the City Hall in Gqeberha as all national, provincial and local government stakeholders continue to respond rapidly to the disaster that has left many families displaced.

During the meeting, Magalela said the estimated cost of damages to date amounted to about R1 137 160 152.00.

"This amount includes the short term and long-term solutions. The recovery efforts are still continuing and the quantification of the damages are being determined. We have experienced a lot of damage across the Metro but especially in the human settlements, electricity and energy, roads and infrastructure directorates. The following wards have reported damages 54, 53, 55, 48, 51, 11, 45, 42, 47, 44, 38, 57, 49, 50.”

"Relief continues to be provided, affected communities were directed to nearest shelters where assistance is being provided. We have 19 shelters and 2649 residents have been affected so far. We continue to work with other stakeholders to provide sustainable solutions, suitable land parcels have been identified and are available, Magalela said.

Damages include water pipelines washed away, damaged roads, flooded wastewater treatment works and damaged boundary walls, water damage to mechanical and electrical equipment and damaged electrical substations and transformers.

Sports facilities including Jabavu Stadium, Tembani sports field, Derrick Ferreira sports field, Isaac Wolfson Stadium, Gelvandale Stadium and the Mendi Art Centre also suffered damages including collapsed boundary walls, damaged roofs and ceilings and damage to electricity and water supply infrastructure.

"The humanitarian relief to shelters are underway and our Joint Operating Centre is still active. There is assistance from NGO's and the private sector. Meals are being provided by organizations like the Gift of Givers , Al-Imdaad and others. We would like to apologise to our residents once again, we know some are still without electricity but we can assure them that electricity restoration is in-progress. Our councillors are leading from the front and updating affected communities. We are expecting a transformer from Johannesburg on Friday morning to restore power in Motherwell, ” Magalela added.

Issued by NMBM Communications Office.