THE South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) will be investing approximately R1.2 billion in road construction projects in Cradock and Middelburg in the Eastern Cape over the next three years.
This emerged when the agency, in collaboration with Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality, hosted various stakeholders over a two-day period recently. SANRAL Southern Region’s Stakeholder Relations Coordinator Welekazi Ndika gave an update on projects in the area.
The municipality announced which projects were to be handed over to the communities and gave an update on projects still being completed.
The event also gave community members a platform to share their concerns about unemployment and project participation in SANRAL road construction projects in the municipality. There was a request to develop youth and people with disabilities to be part of the Project Liaison Committee (PLC).
Among the guests were the Chris Hani District Municipality Executive Mayor, Councillor Wongama Gela, Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality Executive Mayor Councillor Noncedo Zonke, municipal representatives, PLC members, local residents and SMMEs.
“SANRAL has a lot of projects in Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality. The bulk of the work on the projects that use to be routine road maintenance projects are now going to be done by our SMMEs. This news should come directly to SMMEs. When processes unfold then everybody knows what is to be done,” said Zonke during her opening remarks.
Welekazi Ndika, SANRAL Southern Region Stakeholder Relations Coordinator, announced the three special maintenance projects, five routine road maintenance projects, and one road upgrade project in Cradock and Middelburg.
The projects in Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality are in various stages, some in tender stage, some under construction, whilst others will have a contractor appointment shortly.
The special maintenance projects are:
- Cradock to Hofmeyr with an estimated budget of R200 million;
- Cradock to Tarkastad project is estimated at R150 million;
- Middelburg to Molteno with an estimated budget of R350 million,
- Fish River to Cradock is a road upgrade project with an estimated budget of R250 million.
Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) projects are:
- N10 Nanaga to Middelburg estimated budget of R51 million,
- R61: N9 to N6 RRM project’s estimated budget is R52 million,
- Middelburg has an estimated budged of R60 million for three years
- Cradock with an estimated budget of R60 million for three years
SANRAL’s mandate includes performing routine maintenance of the road network. In this regard, the agency maintains several routes within Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality.
Ndika also shared information on the agency’s 14-Point-Plan which serves to facilitate better project level liaison with local communities and structures. The plan also serves to ensure communication and transparency in the execution of works, ensuring inclusivity in the allocation of projects to benefit black business and local communities.
