Today, the budget speech presented in the North West Provincial Legislature by the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi, confirms that the province still has a long way to go in its goal of upgrading roads across the province from gravel to tar surface standard.

The MEC reported: "Within the current funding formula, and the road upgrade cost from gravel surface to tar, indications are that only 53 kilometres of the presently unpaved road network can be upgraded in the current financial year". Clearly, this year's budget will not make much difference.

The Departmental budget is not addressing inaccessible gravel roads such as the D53, Disaneng and Tshidilamolomo, Weltevreden, Seberia, Mooipan, and Z 205. North West farmers continue to bear the brunt of impassable roads, and economic development continues to be hampered by this.

Based on the R380 million road infrastructure allocation, only an average of six or seven roads can be upgraded per annum. It is embarrassing, to say the least, and lacks any creativity. The Kouga recycled road is an excellent example of finding and creating solutions to problems.

The DA believes something must give and will therefore, through the Portfolio Committee of Public Works and Roads in the North West Provincial Legislature, seek for an unprecedented urgent process to petition the Department, Provincial Treasury, Office of the Premier and National Treasury to discuss the issue of roads in North West and the inadequate budget allocated.

The government has repeatedly proven that it has no appetite to deal with the road infrastructure issues of the province, and this must come to an end. The Department must present a workable solution that captures its plans to attract the private sector for funding.

The speech was delivered in a sombre mood, and there was a display of a demotivated Department with no solutions. However, the DA believes it is not time to throw in the towel. All available avenues must be explored. The Department must convene all stakeholders to look at the possibilities of an adjustment appropriation purely for roads.

 

Issued by DANW Spokesperson on Public works and Roads, Freddy Sonakile