EAST LONDON- The Quigney Rate Payers and Residents Association (QRPRA) is taking a stand against the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality’s(BCMM) lack of maintenance funding for the Baby Lee park in Quigney, East London.
The Baby Lee park was officially opened by BCMM Executive Mayor Councillor Princess Faku on 30th November 2023.
While millions are poured into a lavish one month display of Christmas lights, the community faces an ongoing crisis public toilets remain locked, park facilities are abandoned and unsightly conditions threaten both health and tourism.
Despite an investment close to R100 million for a new park that is now struggling with dying plants and rampant weeds, basic amenities, like public toilets vital for preserving human dignity are left unattended.
Chairman for QRPRA in Quigney Satish Nair said, “Why is the BCM municipality spending millions on a short-term spectacle when our roads are riddled with potholes that cost us dearly in tire repairs and accidents, This isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about fairness. Lower- and middle-class families bear the brunt of high rates and taxes while our basic needs go unmet.”
Nair visited the park physically on the 16th of November 2024 and saw the bad conditions that the park is currently having, the locked toilets which are the only ones available along the bustling beachfront have prompted numerous complaints from residents and visitors alike. During a recent meeting, QRPRA was informed by the park manager that there are no staff, cleaning agents or toilet paper to maintain these essential facilities. In a bid to take action, QRPRA has even offered their assistance to manage the toilets if the necessary resources can be provided.
“Baby Lee Park will be for criminals, becoming a haven for vandalism and unsavory behavior if neglected further, we have seen too many facilities built at great cost only to be abandoned due to lack of maintenance funds,” added Nair.
As the community works tirelessly to manage trash, clean pathways and maintain public areas the deterioration of the park and surrounding beachfront signifies a larger issue. The pollution and unpleasant odors stemming from the absence of functioning toilets could dissuade tourists and locals from frequinning the area, investing in a perfect recipe for economic decline.
Additionally as East London grapples with this duality of investment versus neglect, the time has come for residents and officials to unite in demanding essential amenities and maintenance for a thriving community.
Eastern Cape Daily News, made every effort to contact Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency(BCMDA) as they were the principal of the project, BCMDA referred us to BCMM as they are no longer the principal of the project. Unfortunately at the time of the publication BCMM comment was still on mute.
Photographs: supplied
