As part of honouring his budget policy speech commitments of turning KwaZulu-Natal into a construction site, the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Sipho Hlomuka, will this week launch four major construction projects valued close to R1 billion worth of investment.
This massive roll-out of infrastructure is part of government-led economic recovery, job creation and skills development. The investment of close to R1 billion combined will ensure access to important economic centres and will improve mobility in the province.
The construction of new projects whilst maintaining the existing infrastructure is some of the key commitments of the provincial government. Over the weekend, Hlomuka launched a rehabilitation project for main road P189 in Ladysmith, with an investment of R49 million.
He also launched improvement plans for local roads.
Tuesday (30 May 2023) – MEC Hlomuka will open a completed D1252 located in Loskop under iNkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality. The value of the project is R114 million. There are also other local projects under Mazibuko Traditional Council to be launched.
Thursday, 01 June 2023 – MEC Hlomuka will launch the construction of a major bridge linking uMsinga and iNquthu. The Buffalo River Bridge will be constructed at an award value of more than R78 million. This will be coupled with the commissioning of the motor licence services, which the Department has approved to uMsinga local municipality to assist local motorists and dealerships.
Friday, 02 June 2023 – MEC Hlomuka will launch a massive rehabilitation project of R580 million P359 known as Marine Drive, linking Port Shepstone, Margate and other strategic tourism nodes in the area. This project will see mass employment of unemployed youth and emerging contractors are going to benefit.
Saturday, 03 June 2023 – MEC Hlomuka will launch the construction of the Cabane River Bridge in the area of uMzimkhulu in Harry Gwala District. The bridge will be constructed at an investment of R34 million.
Commenting on the planned infrastructure delivery, MEC Hlomuka, said government is serious about reconnecting with the people through improved service delivery.
“In both the State of the Province Address and the Department of Transports’ Budget Policy Speech, we recommitted this government to focus on infrastructure delivery. This is important in improving the local economy and changing people’s lives. We will be crisscrossing all the corners of the province handing over projects and interacting with communities on projects with challenges. We are doing this mindful that the reprioritization of resources has delayed some of the projects due to floods.
Equally, we are also mindful of the challenge of ageing infrastructure and the urgent need to preserve and improve the condition of our road network. The roll-out of infrastructure delivery will empower local emerging contractors and create much-needed jobs for the unemployed youth,” said Hlomuka.
