Progress at N2 Wild Coast Road project
The delegation also visited the R4.05b Mtentu Bridge construction site to assess progress following the re-awarding of the contract in late 2022.
The R20b N2 Wild Coast Road project is still under construction.
The Eastern Cape MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Xolile Nqatha, and the N2 Wild Coast Road Political Oversight Committee recently concluded a two-day oversight visit of the project.
Nqatha said their visit forms part of the work of the Political Oversight Committee to monitor how the work is progressing.
He said a new contractor was recently appointed.
“We are happy with the report received from the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) and the progress we have seen on site, particularly with the previous stop-and-start on the Mtentu contract,” he said.
He added that Grade 1 contractors will grow to higher grades by the end of the contract.
“That is development in the true sense. We appreciate the leadership role played by SANRAL for putting us where we are now,” said Nqatha.
He added that the delegation also visited the R4.05b Mtentu Bridge construction site to assess progress following the re-awarding of the contract in late 2022.
SANRAL board chairperson Themba Mhambi said they were responsible to the government and communities for the taxes used on such projects.
Mhambi said their duty was to report on the plans and to get input from those they work with.
He added: “We are here to listen. We have to respond positively and indicate where we face challenges. Whatever we can do, we will do.”
He said R250m was spent on the Mtentu Bridge project, saying that 248 local labourers were employed.
SANRAL’s Southern region manager, Mbulelo Peterson, said they are investing in the local communities through other skills development and training interventions, such as the junior chefs’ training programme that they are piloting in the Wild Coast.
He said they have asset-based community development projects aimed at capacitating local people in vegetable gardening, arts and crafts, and tourism.
Peterson said this was to ensure that the local communities are equipped with the skills to earn a living beyond SANRAL projects.
Meanwhile, Nqatha said the lives of the communities were changing for the better.
“Good road infrastructure is key to facilitating development and access to services. That is what this project is doing, making lives better and easier than before. We appreciate this development; the work is still ongoing,” he said.
He added that stakeholder engagement sessions were important in eliminating potential misunderstandings between roleplayers and closing any vacuums at technical and political levels.
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