- We are pleased to announce that work has indeed begun for the much awaited construction of a tarred road between Ganyesa and Tlakgameng in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.
- The contract value for the construction of a single carriage way tarred road from Ganyesa, through Phaposane, Gapayi, and Tlakagameng to Khudukgwane is more than R218.6 million.
- The duration for the completion of the road project is 24 months, which translates into the target date of November next year (2012), unless unforeseen challenges surface during the construction period.
- We are constructing a single carriage way road of about 38 km, designed to the standard of a provincial road in a rural area.
What is the current status of the road between Ganyesa and Tlakgameng?
- Due to the sandy conditions in the area, routine road maintenance is a major challenge. Even if the road is graded today for example, it becomes a nightmare to drive on it within a few days.
- Therefore, any road maintenance work done is effective for a few days only due to loose sand and corrugations forming on the road surface and the sides.
- The situation is even dire during rainy weather. The reality therefore is:
- The travel time from Ganyesa to Kudunkgwana which is a distance of approximately 38 km can be up to two hours because of the current condition of the road.
- It is not possible to run any sustainable business in this rural part of the province because of the poor state of the road.
- The running cost of vehicles using this road daily is very high in deed and has a serious impact on the finance of an already poor community.
- Efficient service delivery which relies on transport cannot be provided at all timeand of even greater concern is the travelling time in an event of a serious injury when a victim has to be transported to a nearby health facility for treatment.
- We are extremely encouraged by the support and participation of the communities of Tlakgameng and other villages who have shown enthusiasm to become part of this project from its plenary stages. To this end:
- The contractor and the department have conducted training for 56 people and workshops for Community Liaison Officers, from Tlakgameng, Ganyesa Phaposane, Gapayi and Kudunkgwane. These structures will act as our monitors to the progress we are making on the project and also serve as an important link to the department on any other issues related to the project.
Job creation opportunities for the duration of the project
- Not less than 150 job opportunities will be created for the duration of the road construction project. The entire labour intensive work force, which will be informed by the objectives of the Expanded Public Works Programme, will be sourced from villages of Tlakgameng, Phaposane, Gapayi and Kudunkgwane.
- About a 13 km stretch of a road, going through Phaposane and Tlakagameng as well as Khudunkgwane (8 km), will be constructed, making use of various labour intensive construction methods. This will include:
- Construction of storm water box culverts; manufacturing of bricks and paving; manufacturing of kerbs; paving of sidewalks and traffic circle; kerb laying; construction of ultra-thin reinforced concrete paved road.
- A 4 km section of a route used by taxis on the northern side of Tlakgameng will also be constructed using labour intensive methods.
- This we do, in response to a call by our government to create more and more jobs, instead of using machinery to do the work which can be done manually by our people.
- Through skills training, mentoring and support for contractor development we will be offering on a continuous basis during the construction period, we believe this would be a critical programme in the long term for poverty alleviation and job creation within the communities of Tlakgameng and all its surrounding villages.
- If we can raise sufficient funds, it is our wish to do about 10 km of road by paving using paving bricks manufactured at a plant established in the community.
Status with regards to the Lichtenburg to Koster Roads
- We are extremely disappointed with the performance of the road construction company, Kaulani Civils, on this particular project which is valued at R208 million.
- Our patience with them has definitely run out, more so that the contractor seem to be behind schedule. There is nothing that convinces us that this road project will be complete within the next four months.
- We have written a letter to Kaulani Civils on Friday, 4 March to give us reasons why we should not terminate their contract.
- The action we are contemplating may also include penalties for delayed progress on this road which is a very important road for the motoring public, farmers as well as other people and companies doing business in the province.
- We have been up to date in honouring claims for payment due to Kaulani Civils as informed by work they have done on that road.
- To date we have paid approximately R105 million and the expected target date for the completion of the road was June 2011.
I thank you.
Province
