The newly elected Free State premier, Mxolisi Dukwana, has re-emphasised the fact that the deteriorating state of road infrastructure cripples the province’s economic development and growth. He reiterated this as a stumbling block to the province’s progress during his maiden state of the province address (Sopa) in Bloemfontein on 28 February.
The Free State government has been sharply criticised by opposition parties, and the public in general, for its inability to take concerted efforts to maintain its infrastructure.
“To deal with these challenges, we have embarked on a decisive path of recovery,” said Dukwana.
“This will deepen our initiatives to create an enabling environment for inclusive growth, investment attraction, economic transformation and job creation, whilst we will spend approximately R1,9 billion on upgrading and maintaining our road infrastructure this year.
“It is imperative that we change the ways and means in which road service delivery happens. International best practices have shown that road construction can happen in a more efficient and effective manner.
“The Free State provincial government will be exploring the implementation of solutions such as 24-hour road construction.”
Dukwana continued by stating that particular attention would be given to address the maintenance and construction backlog of “roads that form the backbone of the logistics industry and support economic activity”.
Taking queue from his predecessor, Sisi Ntombela, Dukwana announced that attention had been given to improving the appalling conditions of the Ficksburg to Rosendal road (R70), and the Bothaville, Ladybrand and Bethlehem route (R26).
Ntombela had announced during her Sopa in 2022 an expenditure of more than R1 billion for the revival of the province’s road infrastructure, which is in horrific condition.
She stated that construction work was expected to be completed before the end of last year.
Dukwana reiterated that work in this regard had already commenced, with an allocation of R1 billion for the prioritisation of the following roads: Ladybrand to Bethlehem (R26), and Ficksburg to Rosendal (R70).
He announced road projects in the following districts and the funds assigned to each:
- Thabo Mofutsanyana – R771 million;
- Fezile Dabi – R220 million;
- Xhariep – R217 million;
- Mangaung – R165 million; and
- Lejweleputswa – R125 million.
“We must find innovative ways to shorten the time frames, find resourcing solutions, and improve the efficiency of our service delivery.
“We are enhancing our Operation Vala Zonke initiatives to eradicate potholes. Our focus must be multi-pronged, and include the private sector and the rebuilding of capacity within the public sector.
“We will draw on the capacity developed through various contractor development programmes to accelerate the expansion of the repair of potholes in our municipalities. Municipalities will be required to develop, fund, and implement pothole eradication programmes,” said Dukwana.
