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On the 16th of November 2022, the community members from the Lejweleputswa District Municipality were invited to a briefing session by the Free State Provincial Department of Police, Roads and Transport.

The briefing session covered the operational plans for the next three months to repair and prevent flooding in areas on the R30 road near Nyakallong and north of Allanridge towards Bothaville. The head of the project, Jacques Seclafe, led the briefing session.

The tender was awarded to Matela Civil and Construction (Tender Number PRT/BID05/2022/23) which has a standing record with the department. The project will cost the provincial government a total of R22 381 410.98 to undertake which is scheduled to be completed by 15 March 2023.

To ensure the safety of motorists over the holiday season, the contractor must submit a “Traffic Accommodation Plan” where road workers can warn and regulate the traffic at strategic points seven days a week; 24 hours a day, until construction commences. Possible detours must be evaluated while the R30 road will be closed for construction.

Technical and employment aspects of the project were discussed and the work was clearly explained to the community. Construction will include lifting and tarring the road, building an open earth drain, installing stormwater pipes, reinstating road markings and signage and installing road studs and guardrails. The temporary job creation and economic relief will be a much-needed financial injection to a very impoverished community.

The DA has continuously been highlighting the state of the road and pressuring the municipality to act and is satisfied that it has come to fruition. We wish Matela Civil and Construction and the department well in their endeavour. One cannot but urge the relevant stakeholders to ensure a speedy completion of the project as many lives have already been lost on the notorious R30 road.

Furthermore, the DA would like to send a clear message that oversight of this project will be very closely monitored by the party and its councillors to ensure that the time frame, quality, employment opportunities and financial obligations are fair and in accordance with the tender contract. We will be closely monitoring the execution of the project.

Issued by Jessica Nel - DA Councillor Matjhabeng Local Municipality