MEC Ntuli inspects transport infrastructure in Abaqulusi

MEC Ntuli inspects transport infrastructure in Abaqulusi

January 23, 2020 • Road, Road Works

MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Bheki Ntuli has tasked technical teams in the Department of Transport to fast-track the assessment of roads and bridges that have been damaged by torrential rains that battered parts of Abaqulusi Local Municipality (Vryheid) over the weekend.

Preliminary reports indicate that one person died when the vehicle they were travelling in was swept away by heavy rains on the Mchinswana Culvert along the D2467 Road over the weekend.

In another incident, a section of the P199 access road in Mvunyane, near Vryheid, collapsed during the heavy rainfall. No fatalities were reported in this incident, however, the collapsed road is currently being backfilled. Plans are underway to replace the existing culvert pipes running underneath the P199 access road.

Ntuli urged officials to speedily develop a project implementation plan in order to address road infrastructure challenges in Vryheid and prioritise transformation to empower previously disadvantaged people.

“The department is fully committed to providing training, skills development and empowering local contractors. Projects in the department must empower previously disadvantaged people, particularly youth, women and people with disabilities. We must create a number of job opportunities and ensure skills development through the projects we implement. Public-private partnerships are also critical to the success of our province, so we must work together to create jobs. The private sector and traditional leaders are an essential part of the conversation. There is a strong need for growth to create decent jobs that are sustainable, but the government cannot do it alone. We must work together in order to eradicate the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality,” said Ntuli.

Ntuli said a number of projects were in the pipeline including the construction of the Machaca Box Culvert and Mvuzini Box Culvert which are used by the community to access services such as Thembumusa Provincial Clinic, six schools and Mondlo town.

The estimated cost for the construction of the two culverts is R6 million and R8 million respectively.

Ntuli also officially handed over the P34 Road in Vryheid to the contractor to begin the rehabilitation of the rutting road. The contract value for the P34 Road rehabilitation project is estimated at R115 million.

“The department has prioritised the construction of roads and bridges to alleviate congestion and improve connectivity so that citizens have access to economic opportunities. Rural and township communities should be beneficiaries through various employment opportunities, training and subcontracting opportunities. In line with our development strategy, I have tasked officials in the department to assess the condition of all roads and bridges in the province, particularly in rural parts of KwaZulu-Natal. The construction of new roads and bridges can enhance the economic development of small towns and that has become very important for the growing tourism industry,” said Ntuli.

Other sites Ntuli inspected include P16, KwaGwebu Mvunyane River Bridge, P199, Mvuzini Box Culvert and Mchinswane Box Culvert.

Ntuli also visited the Khumalo and Mdlalose families in Mondlo to convey his sincere condolences. The Khumalo family lost their loved one during the head-on collision that claimed the lives of 10 people on the P34 Road on 05 January 2020, while the Mdlalose family lost a loved one when the vehicle they were travelling in was swept away by heavy rains in Vryheid over the weekend.

MEC Ntuli inspects transport infrastructure in Abaqulusi https://t.co/GS9YmFnsFb #ArriveAlive #Infrastructure #Road @KZNTransport pic.twitter.com/BDMNNtJ2cr

— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) January 23, 2020