WHEN WILL CONSTRUCTION OF THE MSIKABA BRIDGE START?
February 2019.
WILL WORK BE CREATED FOR EVERYONE WHO APPLIES OR TENDERS? Not every contractor or SMME will be successful when a tender is awarded. All procurement processes must be done according to supply chain rules, competitive biddings or quotes.
There are more than 1 000 SMMEs within the three local municipalities and the aim is to accommodate many of them on the project – depending on the skills requirements.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE PLC?
The Project Liaison Committees (PLCs) are not responsible for giving employment. The PLCs in each project are there to create a platform for project liaison, works execution, subcontracting and employment facilitation.
SANRAL chairs PLCs and provides secretarial support. The PLC representatives include: SANRAL, contractor, consultant, business, traditional, provincial and municipal government and community representatives and any other critical local stakeholder that may be deemed necessary by the PLC.
When the contractor is in need of labourers the PLC will provide a database with names of SMMEs.
DOES SANRAL REGULARLY MEET WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO DISCUSS THE N2WCR PROJECT?
Yes. Regular stakeholder engagements are held. The roads agency’s stakeholders are grouped into 10 primary stakeholder categories: political, industry, business, partners, academic fraternity, pressure groups, communities, media, opinion formers, as well as internal stakeholders. These stakeholders have unique needs and necessitate varied engagement
methods at differing intervals. With regards to the N2WCR project there have been several engagements between SANRAL and communities in the Eastern Cape to discuss the benefits and opportunities flowing from the construction of the road.
Also, the Amadiba Crisis Committee, representing the community of Xolobeni, was engaged on several occasions to discuss pertinent matters in relation to the project, its impact on the community, as well as on the environment. SANRAL is also in regular consultation with local leadership through the local municipalities, as well the traditional leadership along the N2 Wild Coast route.
This close consultation will continue throughout the year as work intensifies on the project. This project will transform the regional economy and bring major positive spinoffs for communities served by the new infrastructure. SANRAL will also aim to intensify its engagements with stakeholders to eliminate the misconception that the N2WCR project is connected to the Xolobeni Mining Project.
WHAT ABOUT THE MINING?
The N2WC Road has been identified as a national Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP) and forms part of the National Development Plan. The economic and social development of South Africa for all its citizens is much bigger than mining. Concerns over the Xolobeni sand dune mine have been expressed with reference to the N2WCR project, but these are the facts:
Remember, SANRAL is in the business of developing and maintaining roads and in doing so making sure that the natural environment is preserved and protected.
WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS ROAD?
The National Treasury (in essence, government) has announced that funding for the road - including the nine bridges - will be from taxes and “the road upgrades will be tolled. "The road will bring enormous socio-economic benefits to the Eastern Cape but will also have a much wider impact on the South African economy. It will improve mobility and access along the eastern seaboard and improve the effective movement of goods and people. Travel time between East London and Durban will be reduced by up to three hours. To make sure that there are jobs and the economy grows, government must invest in projects that will promote local and national economic growth in the medium and long term. This road has been identified as such, a key economic driver in the National Development Plan and forms part of one of the identified national Strategic Infrastructure Plan (SIP) projects.
Investment in the local road network as an alternative to the Wild Coast road would have a very low economic rate of return due to:
The very low traffic volumes on these roads, the high cost of construction of these local roads, and the only limited and purely local growth such an investment would bring.
BUILDING SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH BETTER ROADS
HELLO EASTERN CAPE 2019