The multi-billion-rand investment towards the construction and improvement of roads in the Eastern Cape over the next five years has been well received by the business sectors and communities at large.
Last week, Premier Oscar Mabuyane announced that Sanral will put R50 billion into the Eastern Cape roads network over the next five years. This move is part of the effort to revive the stagnant economic outlook of the province.
Roads leading to healthcare facilities, tourism sites and farms will be prioritized. During the previous five-year cycle, R60 billion was spent on road infrastructure improvement. Much attention will be given to previously disadvantaged areas.
“The bulk of the investment will be in the eastern part of the province, which is the most populace area in the Eastern Cape where the road infrastructure is lacking.
The bulk of the investment will be around Mthatha if you look between Mthatha Vitchisville, we need to improve that road as well as the R61 as in the between the airport and Mthatha,” says Mbulelo Peterson, Sanral Regional Manager.
This announcement has been widely welcomed.
“The projects are convenient for everyone specifically for the drivers, the roads are smoother and wider, there is no long traffic, you get to work early,” a resident says.
“I think there is still a lot to be done because when you check our rural areas there is still a lot to be done it seems as if there is a lack of focus. We think the government must do much more, what I call quality when it comes to service delivery,” another resident explains.
But the organised criminal activity in the road construction sector remains a concern.
“What we would like to hear and see from our Premier is how is he going to protect our companies against the demands of the construction mafia. The extortionists that are coming on our construction sites and demanding money because that really hampers development and it’s not safe for our entrepreneurs. The other announcement we would have really liked because you know trucks are damaging our road infrastructure. It would have been great for him to announce some investment towards reviving our rail infrastructure,” says Lizelle Maurice, CEO of Border-Kei Chamber of Business.
The public is also asked to refrain from vandalizing road infrastructure when they protest.
sabcnews.com
www.sabcnews.com