Motherwell
4 May 2007
Eastern Cape MEC for Safety, Liaison, Roads and Transport, Mr Thobile
Mhlahlo will launch roads and transport projects at Motherwell Shopping Complex
in NU3 on Thursday, 10 May 2007, at 09h00.
The programme will start with a briefing session at the Motherwell Small
Business Complex at 09h00 followed by the official opening of 15 kilometres of
surfaced roads and upgraded storm water infrastructure in Tyoksville,
Motherwell by MEC Mhlahlo.
This project is one of the Department of Roads and Transport's contributions
to the Presidential Urban Renewal Programme (PURP) which seeks to improve the
living conditions of Motherwell's Tyoksville residents, vehicle access and the
overall appearance of the area. The project has played a significant role in
the reduction of poverty and job creation as it created employment for local
people, training and development of labour in project related technical skills.
A total of 15 small medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) was involved in the
project, which cost the department R12,5 million.
At this occasion MEC Mhlahlo will introduce the newly appointed Provincial
Operating Licences Board which is responsible for overseeing public transport
operations in the Eastern Cape.
There will be a "pass out" parade by 24 newly appointed public transport
inspectors, who will form part of the new unit that has been set up by the
Department in terms of Section 122 of the National Land Transport Transition
Act 22 of 2000, to monitor compliance of all public transport operators with
the provisions of the Act in the province. Their duties will, amongst other
things, include monitoring of taxi operators' compliance to their operating
licences, checking of public transport vehicles (buses and taxis) fitness etc.
MEC Mhlahlo is expected to hand over certificates to these new members.
He will further conduct the symbolic hand-over of 12 new graders worth R16
402 320-00, which will be distributed to all districts in the province to
maintain our road network. The historic aspect of this hand-over is that since
1994, the democratic government has never recapitalised the yellow fleet
(vehicles or equipment used by internal construction units) and this fleet did
not form part of the government fleet management contract with Fleet
Africa.
This initiative marks the start of a substantial recapitalisation of the
yellow fleet over the next 10 years which was pronounced by MEC Mhlahlo in his
policy speech on 15 March 2007.
MEC Mhlahlo is further expected to hand over 5 333 bicycles that would be
distributed throughout the province as part of a roll out process of the
Department's Shova Lula Bicycle Project, which focuses on learners who travel
long distances to reach their schools.
Members of the media are cordially invited to join all phases of this
programme.
Contact:
Ncedo Kumbaca
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 082 44 22 388
Cell: 073 2066 569
Issued by: Department of Safety, Liaison, Roads and Transport
4 May 2007
