Eastern Cape Transport MEC, Xolile Nqatha, has expressed confidence that the substantial investment in road infrastructure by both the provincial government and the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) will address some of the issues raised by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in its recent report, which highlighted the province’s road infrastructure challenges as a human rights violation.
One of the key concerns raised in the report is the significant backlog in road infrastructure development in the Eastern Cape. With only 9% of the province’s roads paved, compared to the national average of 25%, the report pointed out that the lack of sufficient funding has further exacerbated the issue.
In response, the provincial government and SANRAL have made considerable investments in road infrastructure, effectively turning the Eastern Cape into a major construction site. The Eastern Cape Department of Transport has focused on improving rural roads, maintaining the existing network, and upgrading several gravel roads to tarred surfaces. Notable upgrades include Clarkebury Road, which connects the R61 near Engcobo to the N2 near Dutywa. Other roads slated for upgrades include the Willowvale to Dwesa route, R61 to Hluleka Game Reserve, and the R72 to Hamburg coastal resort.
SANRAL, meanwhile, has also invested billions in road construction projects throughout the province. This includes the upgrade of a portion of the R63 road, connecting Bhisho to Qumrha, among various other projects. The bulk of these investments are concentrated in the eastern part of the province, where the population is largest and where road infrastructure has been most dilapidated.
“We acknowledge and welcome the report by the South African Human Rights Commission, and we assure them that we, in collaboration with SANRAL, are working tirelessly to transform and improve our road infrastructure network. The work being done by SANRAL complements the ongoing investments made by the provincial government, which will not only change the face of our province but set it on a clear path toward economic growth,” said MEC Nqatha.
MEC Nqatha recognized the massive demand for improved road infrastructure and admitted that progress may not fully satisfy all expectations. However, he pledged to continue investing in road infrastructure to improve the lives of people across the Eastern Cape.
In addition to enhancing the road network, the investments in infrastructure are also creating employment opportunities for local communities during the construction phase. Once completed, these projects are expected to greatly improve the quality of life for future generations
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