By James Masango MPL – DA Spokesperson on CoGTA
Date: 20 June 2017
Release: Immediate
Type: Press Statement
The DA calls on Mpumalanga MEC for Public Works, Roads & Transport, Sasekani Manzini, to prioritise the upgrading and maintenance of our provincial and municipal road network.
In her budget speech for 2017/2018, MEC Manzini declared war on potholes across the province, yet the number of kilometres to be fixed decreased.
This was discovered from the Department’s 2017/2018 Annual Performance Plan where it shows that the department has reduced the number of kilometres to be fixed by almost 8km.
In the 2016/2017 financial year, the department repaired 109 574-metres (nearly 110km) of potholes across the province, but they only planned to fix 101 700-metres (almost 102km) of potholes for the 2017/18 financial year, a reduction of 7, 874km (almost 8km).
How do you declare a war on fixing the provincial road network but fail to embark on a holistic approach to repair potholes?
MEC Manzini must realise that maintaining and upgrading our provincial and municipal road network is important as it forms the backbone of our transportation infrastructure.
Progress must be made in our road network and must be well-maintained in order to meet the demands of our growing population.
A modern road network is not only important for economic growth and development but is used by millions of citizens to travel to work and school daily.
Once again, it is the poorer communities that are suffering disproportionally as a result of the ANC government’s non-caring attitude.
The DA will continue to strive to make progress toward improving the lives of all citizens. Providing our communities with roads and infrastructure they deserve, would be an absolute priority for a DA government.
Media Enquiries
James Masango MPL
Spokesperson on CoGTA
082 891 0717
Portia Adams
Communications Manager
082 319 6666
Sydney Masinga
Media Officer
060 971 4297