The MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr. Mxolisi Kaunda, yesterday unveiled a R191 million investment in the upgrade from gravel to blacktop of eBilanyoni township’s access roads.
The investment adds to existing multi-million Rand’s investment in currently underway projects, which he assessed as part of the Siyahlola programme. These are 22 kilometres-long D1880, which is constructed at more than R300 million, P271 (R275 million) and P303 (R328 million) in eDumbe Local Municipality within the Zululand District.
Addressing well over 3 000 community members, Kaunda said that the upgrade of these roads will help grow the economy of eDumbe, and create quick-access routes to nearby towns especially Vryheid, Newcastle, Pongola and national roads N2 and N11.
“Within the Zululand District, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has invested R2 billion in the last two years, creating close to 10 000 jobs. In the current financial year, a further R990 million will be injected into roads infrastructure upgrades. All of these investments will boost socio-economic development and growth, create jobs and opportunities for skills development.
Furthermore, public transport will now be easily accessible, making the ride to town and reaching other amenities such as schools, clinics and workplaces seamless,” said Kaunda.