THE South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has held two stakeholder engagement sessions in the Kou-kamma Local Municipality. These sessions aimed to introduce a contractor for the periodic road maintenance from Bloukrans to Storms River village intersection on the N2. Construction is set to commence in January 2025.
The sessions were held recently at the Storms River Community Hall in Storms River and at Clarence Anthony Draai Multi-purpose Centre in Cold Stream, where Roadmac was introduced as the main contractor.
The project starts from Bloukrans Bridge to the Storms River village intersection and is valued at R80 million. The scope of work will involve the construction of surface reseal, localised surface repair, crack sealing, and edge break repairs.
Welekazi Ndika, SANRAL Stakeholder Relations Officer, explained the mechanisms for resolving deadlocks whenever challenges arise, without communities taking to the streets to block the project.
“The setting up of Project Liaison Committees (PLC) is critical to resolve all labour-related issues. There are processes to be followed in the appointment of labour, including which grades should benefit. All these are discussed in the PLC. This fighting spirit among our people is not benefiting anybody. Instead, we lose money through stoppages.”
“Take care of this project, it is in your hands,” added Ndika. “SANRAL brought them here for your own benefit and that of the municipality.”
She said there would be a tendering process through the main contractor because SANRAL is a government entity. “PLCs should always guard against making announcements on the awarding of tenders before finality is reached. Let us try and be mature about this.”
Ward 6 Councillor, Thami Sikiwe, of Kou-kamma Local Municipality, bemoaned the burning of tyres which has become the norm whenever differences emerge.
“Kou-kamma is a small municipality with high levels of unemployment. The burning of tyres because someone didn’t get a job is a drawback. If there are challenges, let us sit around the table and talk about our differences. Communication is key to the success of these projects brought to alleviate joblessness. SANRAL has platforms where we should resolve differences without having to block the project.”
Sive Bobo, coordinator from the main contractor, Roadmac, said a minimum of 30% of the main contract value will be spent on targeted enterprises, including those owned by youth, women, people with disabilities, and military veterans.
“We have 28 anticipated packages for the subcontractors. We’ve advertised 14 so far. We are in the process of evaluating the 14 and hope to recommend the subcontractors before the end of the year.”
George Zondani, owner of a local SMME, expressed happiness at the success of the sessions, adding that the information provided by SANRAL will assist in preparing for the upcoming road development.
“With 28 packages on the cards, this is a welcome relief for our people and the region.”
Further, an estimated total of R610 million is earmarked for four other projects to be undertaken in Kou-kamma Municipality. These include special maintenance on the R62 section 6 between Western Cape and Eastern Cape border and Louterwater, special maintenance on the R62 section 6 between Louterwater and Joubertina and special maintenance on the R62 between Joubertina and Kareedouw, as well as a community project in Kareedouw, Krakeel, and Louterwater.
