In a bid to remain accountable to stakeholders and the public at large, Eastern Cape MEC for Transport, Roads and Public Works, Thandiswa Marawu hosted a Stakeholder Engagement Session at Good News Centre on 2 March 2012 at 11h00.
The MEC provided a progress report on the implementation of the 2011/12 Policy Speech undertakings.
She outlined among others:
- progress made with regard to the in-sourcing of the provincial government fleet
- progress report on the implementation of scholar transport programme
- the department’s plan to overhaul public transport in the province
- repositioning of public transport to contribute to rural development as one of the key priorities of government.
- latest developments in the upgrade of Mthatha Airport
- progress on the Kei Rail project
- progress on the development of the Provincial Integrated Public Transport Master Plan
- progress on efforts to ensure maximum beneficiation of Eastern Cape communities in freight, aviation, rail and maritime development initiatives.
- traffic safety improvement strategies
- job creation plans through the community based transportation programme.
After the MEC’s presentation, stakeholders were given an opportunity to comment, ask questions and among their interaction were:
- Departmental intervention to AB350 Bus Financial challenge with Scania Company (which supplies AB350 with Buses) threatening to pull out
- Alfred Nzo district commend the visibility of Traffic Officials
- Taxi Council – raised a concern difficulty to get of permit in the province
- Cited a need for a Taxi Rank in Mount Frere to avoid danger imposed
- Sterkspruit law enforcement which abuses its powers by sometimes issuing fines unnecessarily
- Road Accident Fund (RAF) – appreciated department for introducing Road Ranger program, as RAF they have seen the impact of this in reducing accidents
- Eastern Cape Driving School – Appreciated MEC’s Office for being welcoming all the time
- They want to be captured on the database
- National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) – requested for youth directorate within the department
- Suggested regular engagement with NYDA to be informed about development of the youth
- Appreciated department for the car wash project
Emalahleni Municipality – road infrastructure challenge, need for bridge in some areas of the municipality.
- They would love to hear a departmental plan to contribute in the coal mining in that area.
Children’s rights organisation – commended department for giving shoes and uniform to needy children.
- Also raised a need by Scholar Transport project to monitor picking time of children from schools
DPSA – requested subsidised accessible transport for each district
- Wanted to know how far is the department at meeting target of 2% recruiting a disabled people.
Portfolio Committee - Department of Transport is doing well in the Scholar transport but need to consider the following issues:
- Numbers submitted by education which were cut before they have been sent to Transport.
- Inclusion of 2012 list of learners
- Check road worthiness of transport
- Payment of Service providers
- Road accidents caused by lack of visibility of traffics on our roads
- Wishes for long plan to extend the issue of AA to 365 days a year
- Still complaints with regards to a manner in which department treats deceased family, some feeling not treated the same
