ENOCH Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) has started with part of its multimillion rand road construction project between Rocklands and Tentergate villages in the Ntabethemba administrative area.
The 25km stretch of road, being tarred and awarded to Unik Civil Engineering, is a labour-intensive venture that will provide much needed employment to scores of locals.
EMLM spokesperson, Lonwabo Kowa, said the project had five phases, with the current phase four set to cost the municipality R49 million.
“Phase one of the project started on June 29, 2015. Phases one, two and three were completed on March 31, 2017, March 6, 2018 and June 26, 2019, respectively. Phase four is employing 143 local people, including women and youth, as part of the labour force, employed through EPWP provisions.”
Kowa said it was a condition of the contract that 30% of the work of each awarded phase of the project be sub-contracted to local SMMEs.
As a result of this condition, seven SMMEs have been subcontracted.
Ward councillor, Nkululeko Ngcefe, said the fourth phase of the project was a long-awaited intervention.
“We are glad that this was a labour-intensive project where a good number of people got employment.
“Community members meticulously elected a capable project steering committee that has represented them well. This will have far reaching benefits as it will even enhance accessibility of the Tsolwana Game Reserve when all phases have been done,” Ngcefe said.
As part of corporate social responsibility, Kowa said, community members will receive training and they will decide on the kind of training they require.
