Liaison, Roads and Transport at the opening of Road between Mthatha and
Qokolweni, Mthatha
26 October 2007
Let me first take this opportunity to commend all individuals, who
contributed in the building of this beautiful road, which is expected to change
the lives of our people for the better.
The Department of Roads and Transport has invested R139 million to change
this road from gravel to a surfaced all weather road. Its construction included
the building of two bridges across the Ntlekisa and Mtebe rivers and one large
culvert stream crossing.
During the construction process a total of 513 people were employed and
trained and 35 sub-contractors were used. Parties who are benefiting from the
implementation of this project can be grouped into the following:
Urban area:
* the CBD of Mthatha (Ward 31)
* southern suburbs of Mthatha (Wards 24, 27 and 28)
Rural area:
* villages accessed via district road DR 08292
* Emanxiweni, Orange Grove, Tyumbu, Kwenxura, Kunene, Ntlekiseni
* Mvunge, Komkulu, Ngcwana
* taxi industry
* tourism
* entrepreneurs along the route
* institutions along the route (medical, education, etc).
Despite its challenges, this town of Mthatha continues to present itself as
a "flower" to those, who are interested in new business ventures. We have
observed the mushrooming of shopping centres in this town and other new massive
projects in this region, which have the potential to create jobs for our
people.
In response to this prevailing interest, the provincial government has taken
a decision to refocus its energies to the Eastern part of the province, widely
known as the former Transkei Region.
In the recent past, a number of infrastructure development projects have
been implemented in this region with the assistance of the Department of Roads
and Transport in an effort to facilitate the movement of people and goods,
thereby contributing to economic growth and development in this previously
disadvantaged area of our province.
These included the following major projects:
* Port Saint Johns to Ntafufu: R90 million
* Bambisani Hospital Road: R40 million
* Flagstaff to Holly Cross Hospital: R142 million
* Mthatha River Bridge: R38 million
We have just completed our contribution to the Ngangelizwe Urban Renewal
Programme through our Sakha Isizwe Learnership Programme, where we employed 92
people in a street tarring project that was conducted by four learner
contractors at a cost of R8,7 million.
More visible advances are being made to ensure that this town is accessible
and user friendly for the business community. Some of the critical areas that
have been identified are the road infrastructure and traffic congestion,
especially now that we are preparing for the 2010 Federation International
Football Association (Fifa) World Cup.
The department has allocated R6 million for the revitalisation of the
streets of the City of Mthatha through using labour intensive methods. A
further R16 million has been allocated for the building of a taxi rank in
Mthatha.
The department is currently engaged in the construction of the following
roads within this district:
* Ugie to Langeni Phase 2: R420 million
* Ugie to Langeni Phase 3: R347 million
* Sulenkamma Hospital Roads: R240 million
In the next few months, contractors will be on site for the following
projects:
* Mthatha Quarries Road: R34 million
* Zithulele Hospital Road: R150 million
* Greenville Hospital: R102 million
The road from Tombo (near Port St Johns) to Isilimela Hospital will also be
constructed from June 2008.
The department has commissioned a study on the Wild Coast Meander. The road
stretches from Kei Mouth near East London, all the way to Port St Johns. The
project is being designed to unlock the tourism potential of the scenic
coastline of the Eastern Cape. While, in the main, the road will be to
facilitate tourism, it will come in handy for agriculture and possible mining
operations.
The road will link the following attraction areas:
* Hluleka/Mnenu
* Dwesa Cweba
* Hole-in-the-Wall
* Coffee Bay, etc.
This road will surely create massive employment in the area and create
opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors to invest in sustainable ventures
along our beautiful coastline.
It will ensure that 2010 World Cup fans have improved access to local
tourist attractions, Wild Coast.
We have further allocated R9,8 million for regravelling of certain roads in
the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality.
This has been complemented by our 540 Sakha Isizwe Household Contractors,
who are currently maintaining roads throughout the OR Tambo district.
Bus service
The Department of Roads and Transport remains committed to improve the
public transport system in the entire former Transkei region.
We are currently busy working together with the local small bus operators,
who have established a legal entity known as Africa's Best 350 Limited.
The department has invested R43,3 million in this project and more funds
will come from a consortium of financiers consisting of the Industrial
Development Corporation (IDC), Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA),
National Empowerment Fund (NEF), Eastern Cape Development Corporation
(ECDC).
AB350 will eventually operate a fleet of 175 brand new buses on 166 routes
in the Alfred Nzo, OR Tambo, Amathole and Chris Hani Districts. These routes
have been identified by the department through a comprehensive Route Viability
Study that was conducted.
The buses will be operated from seven depots in Mbizana, Lusikisiki, Mount
Frere, Matatiele, Mthatha, Queenstown and Butterworth.
Scania and Volkswagen will supply the brand new buses. Training of bus
drivers has been completed. This will be a major injection of quality public
transport services into a poverty-stricken area by enhancing accessibility to
economic opportunities through improved mobility.
Due to the size of the operation, the project will be implemented in three
phases before the end of this financial year with 55 buses over a period of 9
weeks. Already, 18 buses are waiting at the Scania factory.
A further 56 buses will be distributed with effect from April 2008 and the
last 55 with effect from April 2009.
Kei Rail
Progress is being made to ensure the realisation of the Kei Rail Project.
The Department has been granted a Testing and Commissioning Permit by the Rail
Safety Regulator, which indicates an important step towards achieving our goal
of an operational Kei Rail, possibly before the end of this financial year.
We have lased 20 coaches from Shosholoza Meyl to operate the service. In
addition, the department is concluding the acquisition of refurbishable coaches
for use on the Kei Rail line.
Sheltham Grindrod Group has provided two 33 Class 200 General Motors Diesel
locomotives with 2000 horse power each. The department is currently concluding
the acquisition of further additional 33 Class Diesel locomotives, for
refurbishment to the latest technology available internationally.
Blue Skyway Aviation Strategy
We have further observed the increasing movement of business people in and
out of Mthatha, which required our assistance in the form of air transport
service.
Presently, Mthatha Airport has three scheduled flights a day between Mthatha
and Johannesburg by Air Link. A second airline, known as Interlink, is
currently conducting tests on the route between Mthatha and Johannesburg.
More discussions and consultations are taking place to get more airlines for
the Johannesburg-Mthatha and Mthatha-Durban routes.
An important goal is to link Port Elizabeth to Mthatha via Bhisho Airport
with the service geared for faster movement between the three areas, which have
been identified for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Post office service
This afternoon, I will be officially launching the expansion of motor vehicle
license renewal service to the Post Offices in the King Sabata Dalindyebo
Municipality, which include facilities such as Madeira Street, Mqanduli,
Mthatha, Unitra and Viedgesville.
Our main objective is to improve access to government services that are
being provided to our people, with a particular focus on cutting long queues
that are being experienced by our people, when they want to access such
services.
Conclusion
Ladies and gentlemen, these are some of the interventions by government that
seek to ensure that we turn this area around. The remaining task for local
leaders and communities is the promotion of unity in the interest of service
delivery.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Safety, Liaison, Roads and Transport, Eastern Cape
Provincial Government
26 October 2007
