The Technical Services Department of the Amathole District Municipality (ADM), led by Director Ms. N. Msebi and operating from its head office in East London, is tasked with the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of municipal engineering services, as mandated by the Municipal Structures Act, Act 117 of 1998, as amended. Subject to annual review by the Demarcation Board and the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), the department ensures that these functions align with district-wide strategies outlined in ADM’s 5-year Integrated Development Plan (IDP), which is reviewed annually. The department is structured into two core divisions—Planning, Programme Development & Implementation, and Operations—each overseen by dedicated teams to deliver reliable, sustainable, and equitable infrastructure services across ADM’s seven local municipalities.
The department operates under key legislation, including the Water Services Act, National Land Transport Act, and Division of Revenue Act, prioritizing accessible and sustainable water, sanitation, solid waste, and transport infrastructure. Its objectives focus on meeting national service delivery targets for universal access to potable water and sanitation, integrated solid waste management, and public transport facilities within a 2km walking distance for all households, while fostering job creation and community development.
The Planning, Programme Development & Implementation Division comprises three units. The Planning & Design Unit identifies and develops water services infrastructure projects through consultation, feasibility studies, and compliance with the Water Services Act. It maintains drawing and specification guidelines and oversees special projects like interim water provision and sanitation initiatives, while managing the Sanitation Resource Centre, which promotes sanitation technologies and good practices (contact: 043-851-1110/3). The Building and Services Planning Unit drives rural and urban regeneration through the Land Reform and Settlement Plan and Housing Strategy, manages building plan control for two local municipalities, administers the Rural Transport Infrastructure and Services Grant, and oversees the Road Asset Management System (RAMS). This unit includes sub-units for Building and Planning Services, which handles amenities, buildings, and renovations; Solid Waste, which manages regional waste sites and transfer stations; and Transport, which develops public transport facilities and RAMS. The Project Management Unit (PMU) administers the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, manages the Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP), and supports contractor development through initiatives like the MasakheSonke Incubator Programme. The PMU operates across three regions: Western (Nkonkobe, Nxuba, Ngqushwa), Central (Amahlathi, Mnquma), and Eastern (Great Kei, Mbhashe).
The Operations Division, through the Water Service Provider (WSP), ensures equitable, reliable, and sustainable water and sanitation services (contact: 043-703-5854). Key functions include maintaining water sources, operating pump stations and treatment facilities, managing water and sewer networks, reducing water loss, and ensuring compliance with national water quality standards (SANS 241). The division oversees regional operations across the seven local municipalities, supported by teams responsible for water care, asset management, and mechanical and electrical maintenance.
Key flagship projects include accelerated sanitation programs to eradicate backlogs, the Eastern Regional Solid Waste Site in Ibika, Butterworth—the first of its kind in the Eastern Cape—and the implementation of the Road Asset Management System to enhance public transport access. The department collaborates with internal stakeholders like ADM Council and external partners, including the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Eastern Cape Integrated Transport Planning Committee, to drive sustainable infrastructure development. Through these efforts, the Technical Services Department upholds a professional, community-focused approach, advancing ADM’s commitment to equitable service delivery and improved quality of life.