At least 200 more jobs are guaranteed for Mafikeng and its surroundings when a “war on potholes’’ waged by locals recruited by their respective municipalities finally begins on district and municipal roads in the coming months.
The provincial Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport is in talks with national Department of Public Works, to work-out a formula to even double the number of job opportunities.
This is against the background of the call made by the Premier of the North West, Thandi Modise, for effort to be made to revamp the provincial capital, Mafikeng.
An estimated budget of R139 million is mooted for this massive programme in the province, which will be driven by the national department of Public Works and its sister department in the province, in the municipalities of Mafikeng and Ditsobotla near Lichtenburg.
"We are indeed inspired by the commitment shown by the national Department of Public Works to come on board and help achieve our noble idea. Our call to put shoulder to the wheel in order to give our capital city the look and feel of a seat of government was not just hollow. It is gathering momentum,’’ said provincial MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Mahlakeng Mahlakeng.
He said the intervention by the national department, was supportive of an initiative already spear-headed by his department to assist the municipality "where necessary".
The current state of decay and neglect of infrastructure in Mafikeng, prompted Premier Modise to rally support from all provincial departments to assist in the rebuilding of the town.
On the flip side, the national of Public Works has agreed with the South African National Defence Force, to repair 10 bridges in the area of Madibeng (Brits) which were damaged during the recent floods. This will be done in partnership with the National Defence Force.
In support of the giving Mafikeng a face-lift, the provincial department of Public Works, Roads and Transport pledged R33 million to rehabilitate some of the roads in Mafikeng.
To this end, a R13 million rehabilitation project of Ngaka Modiri Molema Road has started and is expected to create 230 paving jobs within the next three months.
Appointments of three more road contractors to begin road works on Onkgopotse Tiro, Moshoeshoe and Joe Slovo streets will be finalised soon. An estimated budget of R99million is projected for Mafikeng municipalities alone while the war of potholes in the Ditsobotla area, may require R40 million to win.
The targeted municipalities have been tasked to draw-up a list of priority roads for the rollout the war on potholes programme and to recruit beneficiaries for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
The appointment of contractors for the war on potholes programme in the municipalities referred to will be driven by the national Department of Public Works.
At least eight contractors will be appointed for projects in Mafikeng and Ditsobotla with the culmination of the memorandum of understanding signed between National Minister of Public Works and Provincial MEC for Public Works.
Issued by:
Matshube Mfoloe
Cell: 082 305 4594
Province
