THE government has embarked on a multi-million rand programme to eradicate potholes and mud schools throughout the country.
Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde told a media briefing in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, yesterday that potholes would be repaired starting in March.
Mahlangu-Nkabinde said the R150 million project would start in Sandton, and that 14000 jobs would be created.
Deputy Minister of Public Works Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu said government had made progress towards the eradication of mud schools.
She said under the R2,7 billion project, government was left with 300 schools out of the initial 3000 mud schools. "By 2015 we hope we would have completed the eradication of such schools in keeping with the Millennium Goals," she said.
Mahlangu-Nkabinde, who was speaking after a meeting with MECs from all provincial governments, admitted that the budget for repairing potholes was lean. "We understand that we need a lot of money, but we want to get started because we will never get anywhere if we wait for millions (of rands) that are needed," she said.
"We have the right technology to deal with potholes.
"Our roads are in an undesirable condition, and if things can go wrong in Sandton it means it could be worse in rural areas. We want to make sure that potholes are a thing of the past," she said.
In a report released by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research last year, motorists were said to be spending more than R50 billion a year to fix vehicles damaged by potholes.
Meanwhile, the department of public works in North West announced yesterday that it would inject R33 million towards a project that will give the province's capital city, Mahikeng, a face-lift.
According to departmental spokesperson Matshube Mfoloe, the project would also include repairs and maintenance of roads in Mmabatho.
Bid to eradicate mud schools and potholes
THE government has embarked on a multi-million rand programme to eradicate potholes and mud schools throughout the country.
Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde told a media briefing in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, yesterday that potholes would be repaired starting in March.
Mahlangu-Nkabinde said the R150 million project would start in Sandton, and that 14000 jobs would be created.
Deputy Minister of Public Works Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu said government had made progress towards the eradication of mud schools.
She said under the R2,7 billion project, government was left with 300 schools out of the initial 3000 mud schools. "By 2015 we hope we would have completed the eradication of such schools in keeping with the Millennium Goals," she said.
Mahlangu-Nkabinde, who was speaking after a meeting with MECs from all provincial governments, admitted that the budget for repairing potholes was lean. "We understand that we need a lot of money, but we want to get started because we will never get anywhere if we wait for millions (of rands) that are needed," she said.
"We have the right technology to deal with potholes.
"Our roads are in an undesirable condition, and if things can go wrong in Sandton it means it could be worse in rural areas. We want to make sure that potholes are a thing of the past," she said.
In a report released by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research last year, motorists were said to be spending more than R50 billion a year to fix vehicles damaged by potholes.
Meanwhile, the department of public works in North West announced yesterday that it would inject R33 million towards a project that will give the province's capital city, Mahikeng, a face-lift.
According to departmental spokesperson Matshube Mfoloe, the project would also include repairs and maintenance of roads in Mmabatho.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos