Safety and Liaison Mr Bheki Cele at the official opening of Mpembeni
Bridge
2 April 2009
Protocol observed
Our gathering here today for the opening of the bridge once again bears
testimony to our governmentâs commitment to change peopleâs live for the
better.
We have come many times to the Zululand District, particularly Ulundi
Municipality, to invest in infrastructure that unlocks local economic
development, links communities with social and economic services.
It is not surprising that our people who were previously disadvantaged are
now on record giving testimony that indeed, we do follow-up on our commitments.
We ensure that the quality of life for rural communities is improved.
The bridge we are opening today is part of R1,5 billion that the Department
of Transport has invested in Zululand to deal with the road infrastructure
challenges.
We have injected cash in projects that include, among others, D1820, D487,
P700, P432, P235/ P49/ P52, P234, Umbhudula Road Qwasha River Road Bridge,
Mpembeni, Sikhwebezi Pedestrian Bridge, Thombothi River Bridge, Obivane River
Bridge, Wela River Bridge, KwaBhanya Vehicle Bridge, Intethe River Bridge and
Nsonyane Bridge.
The construction of a bridge and link road over the Mpembeni River for the
communities of Babanango has had a major impact with opportunities for local
labour and potential agricultural development. The construction work has seen
an investment of more than R4.8 million in this area.
We always say that during construction the cost must remain an economic
benefit to the local communities where contractors source all materials from
the area and employ all artisans and labour from the nearby communities. There
must be no political preferences in this regard.
The bridge also serves as a link between Babanango and Ulundi. Zululand is
one of the areas in the province where people still travel kilometers on foot
to the nearest clinic, hospital, school, pension payout. Therefore, we say as
government we cannot allow a situation where teachers and learners have to
undress everyday to cross rivers to school. But it is important to emphasise
that as a democratically elected government we have an obligation to serve our
people irrespective of which political party they belong to.
As a society, we are facing challenges such as crime, AIDS, poverty,
unemployment etc. These challenges can only be addressed under certain
circumstances which include peace, democracy and development. These are
preconditions of a better life for all. People must guard against being used by
politicians for their political gain.
Apart from the R1,5 billion investment under operation Kushunquthuli, this
district now has 3 575 Zibambele contractors. There are 211 savings clubs and
they have saved R1 433 980 to date.
In conclusion, on Tuesday we launched our Easter Road Safety Campaign for
2009 where we outlined how we, as the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has
planned to ensure your safety on our roads during the coming weeks.
During this Easter, enforcement and patrols will be conducted in the
province focusing on the following critical offences:
* Pedestrian safety
* Drunk and driving
* Public passenger transport and LDVs (Bakkies)
* Unsafe overtaking
* Vehicle without number plates
These are just some of the specific initiatives that we will be involved in
during this period to ensure safety on our roads but there is also an extensive
enforcement and safety plan in the form of roadblocks that we have provided to
the media and brought to public attention. So, donât say you were not
warned.
Thank you
Issued by: Department of Transport, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
2 April 2009
Source: Department of Transport, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kzntransport.gov.za)
