MEC Duma commits to improving road infrastructure amid budget constraints

The DA’s Councillor in the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality Tessa Perryman has launched a petition to compel the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlement to include the Umzumbe Bridge to the N2, in their rehabilitation plans of the R102 (P3-1) between Port Shepstone to Hibberdene.

The department of Transport and Human Settlement has since assured communities that it will attend to their service challenge.

The Department's spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya told the publication that MEC Siboniso Duma has committed, on the record, to accelerate the rollout of road infrastructure across the province.

Sibiya said the road in question was in fact the focus of the department as it moved forward.

He said Duma's stance was that no community must be left behind.

“The MEC appreciates the support from traditional leaders and all leaders of society over his past 400 days in office."

Sibiya said Duma was cognisant of department's challenges due to budget cuts that has impacted all government entities in the province and countrywide, leaving the department to do more with little.

He said Duma had been in consultation with traditional leaders, mayors, and communities in Ugu and Umzumbe municipalities on all matters that related to the construction of road networks.

Perryman’s decision to petition the department was informed by the department's decision to exclude the R102 (P3-1) Road as part of the rehabilitation.

“This road, which runs through Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, was initially proposed for a full 27km of rehabilitation.

"However, the Department has only approved upgrades for 21km, stopping at the Umzumbe Bridge and leaving out the final 6km that traverses Ward 13. The DA views that decision as both short-sighted and unjust.

"Ward 13 is the gateway to the South Coast, home to two Blue Flag beaches and a growing tourism economy. Yet it continues to be overlooked when it comes to infrastructure investment.”

Perryman said both residents and motorists alike had to contend with deteriorating road conditions, which posed serious safety risks and was damaging for local livelihoods.

She said the DA would not stand by while communities were being neglected.

Sibiya responded to Perryman's "neglect" assertion that Duma had raised the matter of budget cuts with all leaders of political parties, and the DA formed part of in the Portfolio Committee on Transport.

“The MEC explained during the sitting of the Portfolio Committee and during the re-tabling of the budget speech that despite the limited budget, the department will do all in its power to maintain, repair, and rehabilitate over 54 000 km of road network across the province."

Sibiya said Duma was continuously engaging with the DA MEC for Finance, Francois Rogers, about the related matters, and there were other factors like rain and floods that affected their set goals.

DAILY NEWS