The Democratic Alliance has called on Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele to investigate the chaos surrounding Nelson Mandela Bay's integrated transport system.
DA MP, Ian Ollis, says significant funds have been invested in the transport system in the Metro, but despite this the full implementation of the integrated transport system continues to be delayed and the inappropriate infrastructure has been put in place.
He says he will be raising this issue with Minister Ndebele in parliament next week.
" If you look around you will see the effects of a badly engineered transport system, we need to say to the minister you cannot let this continue you must come and investigate what has gone wrong and you must produce a turn around plan to finish the implementation of the system and fix the problems occurred to date" Ollis said.
"The IPTS system is currently being run as a “mayoral project”. But because national funds have been invested in the IPTS system in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, and large budgets continue to be allocated to the project, we believe that it is time for the Transport Minister to institute a ministerial inquiry into the matter," Ollis said.
"During my visit to the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro today, I saw examples of traffic lanes that have been obstructed by IPTS infrastructure and the lack of space for trucks to turn and do deliveries in the North End business district. I was also struck by the vacant buildings that have become characteristic of the Govan Mbeki area, where many labour-intensive businesses have been forced to relocate as a result of disruptions caused by IPTS construction processes and their disastrous outcomes."
Meanwhile, DA councillor Knight Mali, has blamed the failure of the Integrated Transport System on the lack of political engagement on the part of the ruling ANC.
" We have seen that since the inception of the "IPTS" there has been no opposition party councillor that has been included in the project task team, secondly the public has had no input in this project since it's inception and so we think that that is a highlight of a lack of transparency from this Metro" Mali said.
