Residents can Play A role to Avoid Property Flooding During Storms
One of the experiences from the storm that hit the City of Manzini and other parts of the country about two weeks ago was flooding of properties. According to the Meteorological Services Department, more rains are expected in the country in the days and weeks ahead; and this is an experience that no property owner wishes a repeat of. Taking care of one’s nearby storm water drainage is one of the important steps towards preventing flooding and protecting homes from water damage. Whilst maintenance of storm water drains is primarily the responsibility of the Municipality, storm water management should actually be a community effort; and everyone’s contribution is essential for effective prevention of property flooding. Residents can play a role towards taking care of storm water drains near their properties. The following are some of the practices that residents can adopt in this regard;
- REGULARLY INSPECT STORM WATER DRAINS
Please regularly inspect the storm water drain near your property and ensure it is free from debris, tree leaves and garbage. Keeping the storm water drains clean allows storm water to flow freely and prevents blockages that can lead to flooding.
- NEVER DISPOSE OF WASTE ON DRAINAGE SYSTEM
It is critically important that proper waste disposal practices be observed by all city residents. Please dispose of waste, including grass clippings, leaves, pet waste, domestic waste, etc in designated waste receptacles or composting areas. The City of Manzini has a Buy-Back Centre (located at the far end of Esselen Street opposite SEDCO Estate) where recyclable waste such as used cans, bottles, plastics, scrap metal, paper, etc can be sold. The Municipality also provides skip bin services for garden waste and other forms of waste that is not collected by the refuse truck. Please make use of these services instead of disposing of waste in storm water drains. Please avoid sweeping or blowing any form of waste into the drainage systems as the waste can clog the system and hinder drainage.
- REDUCE CONCRETE PAVING AROUND YOUR PROPERTY
As you build your home, please ensure to keep the amount of paved or concreted areas around your property as minimal as possible. These kinds of surfaces prevent water from seeping into the ground thereby increasing storm water runoff and putting pressure on the nearby drainage system. Consider keeping your yard as green as possible as grass and other forms of vegetation do not only help absorb the water but also helps in the fight against climate change. The roots of plants act as natural filters, slow down the flow of water and minimize soil erosion.
- REPORT HEAVILY CLOGGED DRAINS TO THE MUNICIPALITY
Please do not turn a blind eye but notify the Municipality whenever you notice blockages, damaged storm water drains or unusual odors in the storm water drains. Regular maintenance and prompt repairs can help prevent drainage challenges and potential flooding. The Municipality has a myriad of service faults reporting mechanisms including a 24/7 Call Centre (800 2004/2505 7000), WhatsApp line (7808 2333/7908 2333) and social media platforms (Municipal Council of Manzini/Manzini News).
…EL NINO PREDICTED. CONSIDER WATER HARVESTING
Weather forecasters have predicted an El Nino drought this season. El Nino is a weather condition that affects the world differently across the globe; ranging from floods, storms and droughts. In the Kingdom of Eswatini it usually leads to dry weather conditions. The last severe drought experience in the country was during the 2015/2016 El Nino; which resulted in a significant drop in rainfall. It is critical that residents and the business sector consider storm water harvesting in order to conserve water and avoid wastage as much as possible. Water harvesting is also encouraged so that the collected water can be utilized for irrigation purposes or other non-potable uses. Property owners are also urged to opt for drought tolerant plants when doing their landscaping as they tend to survive dry weather conditions whilst continuing to add colour and texture to their gardens. The Municipal Council of Manzini, working together with various disaster risk stakeholders, continues to be on high alert for El Nino.
…PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY, DO NOT DAMAGE INFRASTRUCTURE
The Municipal Council of Manzini is concerned about an observed increase in incidents of reckless driving in the City of Manzini; which often result in damage to traffic lights, streetlights, traffic signage and other road furniture. These incidents not only endanger the lives of drivers and passengers but also disrupt the flow of traffic and pose a significant financial setback to the Municipality which is left with the responsibility to restore the damaged infrastructure. In the past weekend, for example, two traffic lights were knocked down by vehicles on two separate occasions. Unfortunately, this diverts funds that would have otherwise been utilized for other service delivery initiatives. The Municipality would like to remind motorists of the importance of safe driving practices and to encourage responsible behavior on the roads. The Municipality calls on citizens to play a role towards clamping down on damage to infrastructure. If you come across a situation where a vehicle has damaged a traffic light, streetlight, signage or any other road furniture, please take a photo of the vehicle at the crime scene and forward it to the Municipality’s WhatsApp line (7808 2333/7908 2333). Alternatively, immediately notify the Royal Eswatini Police Service or dial the Municipality’s 24/7 Call Centre (800 2004/2505 7000) so that appropriate action can be taken. Confidentiality is guaranteed.
…YES. MANZINI MUNICIPALITY NO.1 IN CUSTOMER SERVICE
On the 27th October 2023, at Happy Valley Hotel, during the 2023 Eswatini Service Excellence Awards, the Municipal Council of Manzini was pronounced number one amongst Eswatini municipalities with regard to customer service etiquette. The Municipality remains humbled by this exciting recognition which is a result of a combination of a number of factors; including an investment into the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, hard work and dedication from employees as well as a sound leadership which prioritises issues of customer service excellence as it fully understands that in today’s fast-paced world, customer service excellence has become increasingly vital for organisations to thrive. A word of appreciation also goes to citizens of the City of Manzini and all other stakeholders for their continued support over the years.
