Approximately 8000 jobs will be created in the Eastern Cape through road construction projects over the next three years.
The South African National Roads Agency said on Thursday it would undertake more than 150 road construction projects in the province with at least 37 of those located in the O.R. Tambo District Municipality.
SANRAL Stakeholder Relations Manager Siphiwo Mxhosa said the main benefactors of the projects would be Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises.
"All unskilled labour, and as far as possible skilled and semi-skilled labour will be sourced locally, as will local SMME contractors and suppliers of goods and services needed to meet the required contractor participation goals on SANRAL projects"
These construction projects include the controversial N2 Wild Coast Toll Road which will connect the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu Natal.
Civil Organisation, the Amadiba Crisis in the Wild Coast had previously pleaded with SANRAL not to construct the freeway in their precinct.
They argued that the road would be used as a means for unwanted mining of titanium in their region.
However, Mxhosa said the road would improve logistics and trade between the Eastern Cape and KZN.
"The new route will also stimulate local economic development for the Pondoland area, particularly in tourism," he said. "This new highway will cut travelling time between Mthatha and Durban by between two and three hours, resulting in a time-cost saving of approximately R1.5 billion per annum for road users."
