Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) recently presented its dream of boasting a mini harbour to the deputy minister of the Department of Transport, Lisa Mangcu.
This was confirmed by Mangcu on Monday last week, while he inspected the rehabilitation of Main Harding Road, Nelson Mandela Drive, and the construction of the Port Shepstone Intermodal Facility.
Mangcu said: “The municipality presented its dream of a mini harbour or triggering the ocean economy, we brought one of our entities, the port’s regulator to work with them to make sure that they concretise their plan which is impressive, as you can see that the municipality is looking forward to this.”
Mangcu had been doing oversight visits on programmes that are funded by grants in the National Treasury.
He said this was part of the role of ministers and executives, saying that this was part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s District Development Model (DDM) which forces them to work and plan together.
“As part of my oversight, I go to municipalities that are beneficiaries of this grant, municipalities such as RNM. They are rehabilitating two roads that I have inspected, Nelson Mandela Drive and Main Harding Road. They are beautifully constructed,” said Mangcu.
In 2022, RNM received R38 million for the upgrade of Nelson Mandela Drive and R54 million for the rehabilitation of Main Harding Road from the Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant from National Treasury.
Recently, RNM also received R550 million for the Port Shepstone Intermodal Facility.
During the inspection, Mangcu admitted that the rehabilitation of Main Harding Road has been slow.
“Main Harding Road is a bit behind schedule but there is good progress, in the quality of the road. But most importantly, as part of their planning, they created space for pedestrians which has always been a shortfall, we have never created space for pedestrians. I am very impressed. I also inspected the Port Shepstone Intermodal Facility, there is capacity for road transport. We are very impressed with the progress. We are also delighted to know that the municipality has bagged great awards,” he said.
Mangcu said RNM also shared problems they are facing with many roads they need assistance with, saying that they will go back, and together with the KZN Department of Transport see how to best assist them.
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