Mpumalanga Public Works, Roads and Transport MEC Gillion Mashego on Wednesday undertook the inspection of various school sanitation projects across the province, in readiness for the June 8 opening of schools.

He said he was impressed with the work so far, of which most had already been completed with the hope that by the end of the week procurement for 27 schools would have been finalised.

The projects began in January and were to continue over six months but were hampered by the lockdown.

In addition to building new facilities, Mashego said that old school toilets were also being refurbished.

“In terms of readiness for learners, in terms of toilet facilities, it is all systems go on Monday as we have fixed old ones as an interim [measure]  . . . and they have been fumigated,” he stated.

More water storage tanks will also be added to schools to ensure that periodic water supply is in place.

“What is common in all the projects is the period that we lost due to lockdown but we will  mobilise our contractors and consultants to work around the clock to ensure that we shorten the period and that we complete in time,” Mashego assured.

He also pointed out that the refurbishing projects have helped create jobs for people in the Mpumalanga communities.