MEC Ndlovu delivering the good news during his address, to community members
By Kopano Dibakwane
It was joy and happiness on a number of community members who have long waited for a smooth road infrastructure to happen .
An official sod turning ceremony for upgrading the D4382 Road between Belfast and Justicia in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality was officially held and was led by Mpumalanga MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport-Mandla Ndlovu, alongside the Executive Mayor of Bushbuckridge-Silvia Nxumalo, members of Jongilanga Traditional Authority and Hoxani, amongst other dignitaries.
According to a statement released by the department, road infrastructure plays a significant role in the economy of Mpumalanga and the country as a whole.
The 13km road construction will ensure easy and quick access to public amenities, but also create job opportunities for the local and neighbouring communities.
The department also said that billions in resources have been set aside to roll out major road infrastructure projects across the province in the past few years.
MEC Ndlovu said that the project has to be completed within the stipulated period given to the appointed contractor.
” While we continue to invest in construction and upgrades of our roads infrastructure, project delays and disruptions remain a thorny issue. We must therefore ensure that this project is completed within 22 months contract duration period,” he said.
The department mentioned that in the past five years it has focused more on rehabilitation and maintenance of aging infrastructure, including those that connect villages. Additionally, part of the work reportedly include construction of bridges, upgrading of gravel roads to tar, and the rehabilitation of old tarred roads.
