Economic impact of poor road infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal highlighted by Umgeni Mayor
Umgeni Mayor Chris Pappas raises alarm over the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport's failure to maintain critical road infrastructure.
Image: Tumi Pakkies Independent Newspapers
uMngeni Local Municipality mayor, Chris Pappas has accused the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, led by MEC Siboniso Duma, of significantly hindering economic development in the province due to its failure to maintain the province's road infrastructure.
According to Pappas, while the province showed signs of economic recovery, the ongoing deterioration of the road network presents a worrying challenge to further economic improvements and gains.
"The Department of Transport's core mandate is simple: to maintain, manage, and upgrade KwaZulu-Natal's critical economic and social transport infrastructure.
"Under the leadership of the embattled MEC for Transport, Siboniso Duma, the department has fallen dramatically short," Pappas stated.
Concerns over the conditions of some of KZN's roads, especially in rural areas, has been raised by uMgeni Municipality's mayor, Chris Pappas
Image: Supplied
The mayor painted a bleak picture of how roads were collapsing, maintenance and rehabilitation exercises were inconsistent or non-existent, and major capital projects were either stalled or on the brink of failure.
He singled out that small towns that rely heavily on tourism, agriculture, and local logistics to remain financially liberated, but were the ones that were hit the hardest.
"These towns depend on reliable roads to attract visitors, move produce, and allow residents to access work, healthcare, and basic services.
"When these networks deteriorate, entire local economies suffer. Tourism bookings are declining, farms are facing escalating delivery costs, and businesses are struggling to operate," said Pappas, highlighting the ripple effect that negatively impacted many aspects of life in the province.
In response to Pappas' accusations, MEC Duma's spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, defended the department's record, claiming that there has been significant progress in road construction and maintenance since Duma's appointment.
"This past Friday, the MEC attended and chaired a meeting in the Umgungundlovu District where socio-economic development issues for the district were discussed, including road projects being prioritised," Sibiya explained.
He underscored the importance of intergovernmental cooperation and stated that efforts were ongoing to ensure that all spheres of government worked together more effectively.
He assured residents that roads in the Umgungundlovu district were on their list of projects, with construction and rehabilitation work currently underway in municipalities such as Richmond and Umshwathi.
The spokesperson acknowledged that budget constraints have hampered progress on some projects, with a construction backlog estimated to be around R19 billion.
"Delays are also attributed to the devastating impacts of the floods that struck the province in 2022," Sibiya said.
In the tourism sector, the economic implications of poor road conditions were acutely felt. Brett Tungay, chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA), articulated concerns over the Northern Drakensberg and Phungula areas, and said: "The poor maintenance of roads puts us, the province, in a bad position. Most travel agencies won’t consider our province a viable destination as long as the condition of the roads remains an issue."
DAILY NEWS