Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga arrived in Standerton and inspected the implementation of the Vala Zonke campaign on February 6.
The area in front of the main building of the Lekwa Municipality was cordoned off between Beyers Naudé and Kerk streets. Traffic officers and SAPS were present.
The Standerton Advertiser met representatives of the department at a guest house before 09:00 and accompanied them to the industrial area, finding workers repairing potholes.
The minister also inspected the R1.1b upgrade of the R23 in Standerton.
Chikunga said she was confident that the work, which saw the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) upgrading the R23, would contribute to economic growth.
“The R23 is a state-of-the-art road, and I am satisfied with the work done, As people leave the R23, they must then also find roads that are trafficable, so that investors will want to come to Standerton and set up businesses here and create jobs for our people.”
Speaking after she helped workers fix potholes in town, Chikunga said all levels of government need to cooperate to ensure potholes are fixed.
“We recognise good roads help to grow the economy and that is why we are spending billions to improve our infrastructure and build new roads to move people and goods.
“No investor will want to invest in a country which does not have good roads, and that is why we must make sure that our roads are repaired and maintained.
“If taxis can’t transport people to work using good roads, then people won’t get to work and companies won’t be productive. The economy won’t grow.”
According to the minister, it shows what they are capable of, showcasing the talent of engineers. Sanral is leading the Vala Zonke war room with central management, as well as technical support, to eradicate potholes across the country.
The use of nanotechnology as an international standard has aided in improving road maintenance in the campaign.
Sanral CEO Reginald Demana said the implementation of the campaign in Standerton was a pilot project, which would be rolled out going forward.
“It’s a collaborative effort among all the different levels of government and Sanaral to provide technical support with its skills and resources,” Demana also said.
“It is a collaboration with the municipality and the provincial government.”
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