Hel-loo where are you? - MPs

2003-05-15 10:31

Cobus Grobler

Cape Town - Parliamentarians are finding it difficult these days to find a toilet that's open and available to meet their 'pressing needs', because of construction work.

Several MPs went to a committee for household management on Wednesday to voice their complaints because a contractor had started renovation work in most of the toilets in the 11 buildings at the same time.

The parliamentarians now have to make sure they plan carefully to get to a loo in time.

The committee says in a report that 40 toilets are being renovated.

MP Lawrence Lever says "it's quite an adventure to find a loo in the Marks Building (where most of the opposition members have offices), because all the restrooms on the same floor have been locked."

Ossie Lamb, representative of the department of public works which looks after the buildings, and parliamentary officials had a hard time answering the parliamentarians.

In some parts of the complex, two or more toilets close together have been locked.

When they do find an open toilet, parliamentarians have complained about the smell of paint and other odours. The contractors also have been accused of not planning the work properly.

- Die Burger