Transport minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga, says that the new N2 Wild Coast Road in the Eastern Cape is one of government’s mega-infrastructure projects bringing positive change for the people of the region, and South Africa as a whole.
Chikunga, accompanied by deputy transport minister, Lisa Mangcu, and members of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited’s (SANRAL) Board and executives, conducted an oversight visit of the Msikaba Bridge project in the Eastern Cape, on April 28.
The visit was intended to gauge ongoing progress on the project, which forms the backbone of SANRAL’s N2 Wild Coast Road Project.
Since construction started on the Msikaba Bridge project, several new river and interchange bridges, as well as numerous access roads, have been constructed and upgraded, enabling easier movement and access for vehicles and the local community.
Chikunga said that it was clear to her that the project was progressing well, and that the new N2 Wild Coast Road had significant employment and benefits for SMMEs over the short-term and would help bring tourism and socio-economic development to the area over the long-term.
“This is one of the mega-projects in South Africa which is going to help to change the lives of the people living in this area by creating thousands of new jobs, training our people, creating opportunities for SMMEs, for women and youth, and for the communities as a whole,” she said after a briefing on the project and an inspection of the construction site.
“I have seen for myself the progress in the construction, which shows that we have the skills and expertise to make this new N2 Wild Coast Road come to life, and displays how SANRAL, together with national, provincial and local government, as well as the private sector and communities, are working together to build the N2 Wild Coast Road.
“This is a project which we should be very proud of,” added Chikunga.
SANRAL Southern Region manager, Mbulelo Peterson, gave a detailed presentation, pointing out key milestones that have been achieved to date on the N2 Wild Coast Road Project.
“To date the Msikaba Bridge project, which is valued at R1.72 billion, has created employment opportunities for over 400 local community members, and created an equivalent of over 2 700 full-time jobs.”
“This has seen the wage bill on the project standing at R80,8 million by the end of March this year. A further 114 SMMEs have also benefited from project participation opportunities to the tune of R483 million,” said Peterson.
SANRAL Board chairperson, Themba Mhambi, reiterated SANRAL’s commitment to transformation and bringing true and meaningful opportunities for the local communities that live around the project.
Last month, during the South African Investment Conference held at the Sandton Convention Centre, President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the significance of this project as a conduit for revitalised economic activity in the province, and commended the work that is being undertaken there.
President Ramaphosa conducted a site inspection at the Msikaba Bridge construction site in September 2021.
– ISSUED BY FTI CONSULTING ON BEHALF OF SANRAL
