City leadership structures join hands
City upgrades were outlined during the Amakhosi Breakfast in Empangeni
LAND issues, the N2 freeway expansion and the integration of wards in the City of uMhlathuze were top of the agenda during an Amakhosi breakfast meeting at Umfolozi Casino Resort in Empangeni on Wednesday morning.
The programme dealt with issues affecting tribal geographic areas within the city and served to strengthen the relationship between the two leadership structures.
Issues included road expansions, including the eSikhaleni intersection upgrade, installation of street lights in rural areas and bicycle patrols to ensure residents’ safety.
With three Ntambanana wards to be added to the city, Mayor Mduduzi Mhlongo said ensuring sufficient infrastructure, safety and working together were vital.
Mhlongo outlined programmes already on the cards for rural areas.
‘With the population about to increase in the city, we have to make sure water, electricity, land, sanitation and fighting crime are prioritised. We can’t do that if we don’t work together to ensure service delivery,’ he said.
Mhlongo also said with the expansion of roads on the cards, R186-million will be required to move those who built houses in dangerous zones, road reserve areas and on wetlands.
N2 freeway expansion
Road Incident Management Systems Project Manager, Nomsa Modise, outlined the N2 expansion project.
She said a new 34km two-lane stretch from Mtunzini Plaza to Empangeni T-junction will be constructed.
This will include two major bridges over the Umlalazi and uMhlathuze rivers.
The construction will take 37 months to complete and the road will be repaired and strengthened.
‘Four agricultural overpasses over the N2 will be lengthened and a new bridge at the R34 Empangeni/Richards Bay interchange and the P537 Port Durnford underpass will be constructed,’ Modise said.
Concrete pedestrian safety paths will also be part of the project.
The contract stipulates a 6% target for employment of labour from within uMlalazi and uMhlathuze municipalities.
She said the sub-target of 30% of workers will be for women and another 30% for youth.
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