WEZIWE TIKANA
In 2018 the transfer of the roads function from the department of public works back to the Department of Transport was completed. All transport-related work in the Eastern Cape is now under one roof.
Our major concern is that the most recent festive season road safety report released by the Minister of Transport revealed that the number of deaths on our roads remains unacceptably high.
MEC's Message
Visibility of our traffic officers is critical for law enforcement. Currently, 30 young people are in the middle of their training as traffic officers. They will be deployed to various traffic stations to increase traffic law enforcement visibility on our roads.
We have made strides in ensuring that we strengthen the development of our province through the improvement of transport sector skills. We hosted the second Mthatha Airshow and Aviation Career Expo and exposed over 1 000 Grade 9 -12 learners to various careers in aviation.
During the last year and as part of our revenue collection strategy, we implemented an “amnesty” for vehicle license penalties and arrears which ran from October to December 2018. We received 822 applications and at the end of December 2018 about R27m was collected.
We recently also contracted 38 companies that will maintain our roads for a period of three years. In line with our Local Economic Development goals we ensured that almost 82% of them are Eastern Cape based.
A budget of R110m was set aside to do work between January and March 2019. Roads leading to schools, clinics, police stations, farms and other social amenities will be maintained.
Through the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) we continue providing world-class road infrastructure to revitalise the local economy and attract foreign investment. The flagship N2 Wild Coast Road project from East London to the KwaZulu-Natal boundary experienced a setback in the last quarter of 2018 when the project was halted for two months due to community protests.
Through engagements with local stakeholders, a process led by the project’s Political Oversight Committee (POC), which I chair, we are reaching consensus to ensure the project resumes. We appreciate our stakeholders and the community of Mbizana for their cooperation to deliver on a project that not only promises to benefit the community of the Wild Coast, but the Eastern Cape province in its entirety.
Weziwe Tikana is the Eastern Cape MEC
for Tansport, Safety & Liaison
Spinoffs from N2WCR project
The N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) is a catalytic route for regional, local and socioeconomic development. As a flagship project of SANRAL, the N2WCR is expected to bring much-needed changes to the local and national economy, boost tourism and improve transport nodes.
In terms of transport, we can expect to see significantly faster delivery times and lower transportation costs. It is estimated that approximately R1.55bn will be saved per annum in transport costs alone.
This will have a major positive impact on GDP through accelerated business development and income-multiplier effects. This, together with local socio-economic development, will provide operational job opportunities, (8 000 direct jobs and 16-20 000 indirect jobs) during construction. The N2WCR greenfield portion will be an investment of over R9bn.
Economic development opportunities for local SMMEs and local businesses, both direct and indirect, will be created. There will be positive impact on the economies of Port St Johns, Lusikisiki and Mzamba, as well as towns such as Flagstaff, Bizana and Holy Cross.
In addition to SMME development and local socio-economic growth, the project will also improve access for agriculture, health care, education and other social and economic opportunities. Once completed, the road will improve access, mobility and attractiveness for tourists.
This will lead to major eco-tourism and conventional tourism opportunities. This project currently includes a two 24-month training and development programmes for 20 SMMEs and three have already been completed where 31 SMMEs received similar training.
There are other training and development projects in the planning stages and will be rolled out over the next three years.
Current disputes about the contract will, unfortunately, lead to delays. SANRAL is disappointed by the decision of the contractor to terminate some construction activities. However, we remain committed to this project because of its potential to contribute to the economic transformation of the Eastern Cape.
Skhumbuzo Macozoma is SANRAL’s CEO
BUILDING SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH BETTER ROADS
HELLO Eastern Cape 2019