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The transport sector in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality has welcomed road infrastructure investments worth more than R2 billion by the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL).

Welekazi Ndika, SANRAL Southern Region Stakeholder Coordinator, spoke to industry members at the agency’s information session held yesterday in Mthatha. She also expressed SANRAL’s key role in transforming the construction sector and reiterated that the roads agency will also continue to ensure that previously marginalised individuals participate and benefit from its road infrastructure development projects.

“The road infrastructure investment by Sanral will bring much-needed economic opportunities for local business enterprises and communities,” said Ndika.

SANRAL has invested in several projects in the municipality, including the upgrading of the R61 Baziya to Mthatha Airport, the R61 from Mthatha Airport to Madeira Street and the N2 national road from Viedgesville to Mthatha.

Construction of the Baziya to Mthatha Airport project is currently underway. About R237 million has been allocated for the project, which is anticipated to be completed at the end of March next year. Construction of the new Mthatha bypass on the National Route N2 is currently in the assessment stage. More than R1 billion has been invested for this project. In addition, SANRAL also has a community development project linked to the N2 Viedgesville – Mthatha project in the pipeline. The estimated budget for this project is R200 million.

With this engagement particularly scheduled to engage the transport sector, SANRAL Project Manager Athi Kiviet stressed the importance of having the sector represented on the PLCs of the various projects. “This would ensure that the transport sector can share their expectations with the project management team, particularly while some of the projects are still in design phase,” said Kiviet.

The Mthatha Local and Long-Distance Bus Association was represented by a few of their members who expressed huge support for SANRAL’s work in the region. “We are happy about the planned and current road upgrades and even more pleased to hear that no SANRAL projects will be launched without meaningful stakeholder engagement,” said Sifanele Gabada, of Gabada Tours.

The information session was an important platform for SANRAL to outline its transformation agenda, small enterprise development approach and the economic opportunities its road infrastructure development projects present for targeted enterprises and the community of KSD Local Municipality.

Issued on behalf of SANRAL by FTI Consulting