GCIS
Eastern Cape MEC for transport and community safety, Xolile Nqata, says innovation should be at the centre when looking for solutions to the myriad of challenges associated with road infrastructure and maintenance in the province.
He was speaking at the start of the department's two-day transport research symposium in Gqeberha, which he described as a ground-breaking intiative to bring research institutions closer to government.
Nqata said this was also to ensure that government policies and plans are research-based.
He said due to the many challenges related to infrastructure, innovation was needed to be at the centre of "finding solutions" for road maintenance, and solutions to achieving an integrated, affordable, public transport system in the province.
Nqata said he welcomed critical thinking on these issues, adding that it was time to hear what they were doing wrong, and what must be done to correct the situation.
"Our roads infrastructure maintenance and construction is informed by the available resources which are not in abundance," he said.
The MEC told Algoa FM News that they are operating in a constrained fiscal environment.
Nqatha described the symposium as a "ground-breaking initiative", bringing together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to engage in insightful discussions on key transport challenges and opportunities in the province
Speaking on the state of roads in the province and the SAHRC report, Nqatha welcomed the findings and recommendations.
The SAHRC report was released year and highlighted the complaints and challenges faced by people living in the Eastern Cape to gain access to schools and clinics, particularly in rural areas and during bad weather.
“The report has found that our roads are not up to par with the roads in other provinces concerning surface roads. We are looking at 10% (surfaced roads) in the Eastern Cape compared to 25% of other provinces.”
The SAHRC report recommends that the provincial treasury should explore alternative revenue streams to generate additional funding for road infrastructure through options such as tolling specific high-traffic routes.
"The National Department of Transport should further fast-track the implementation of the Freight Road to Rail Migration Plan (FRRMP) in the Eastern Cape, focusing on rehabilitating existing rail lines and developing new connections. Collaborate with Transnet and other relevant entities to ensure that rail infrastructure is upgraded in a way that supports regional economic activities, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing.
"The Eastern Cape Department of Transport should prioritise the repair and maintenance of roads that are crucial to the tourism and farming sectors. These sectors are vital to the provincial economy and require reliable transport infrastructure to function effectively.
"It should also prioritise roads that provide access to schools, hospitals, and police stations," the report also noted.
Furthermore, the SAHRC said the ECDOT should ensure that vehicle repairs at the provincial repair workshop prioritise Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and South African Police Service (SAPS) vehicles as these vehicles are essential for public safety and emergency response, and any delays in their repair can have serious consequences.
"District municipalities should fully implement and optimise their Road Asset Management Systems (RAMS) to accurately assess and manage the condition of local roads".
The Commission also recommended that COGTA enhances the disaster management capacities of local municipalities by providing targeted training, resources, and technical support, to ensure that municipalities are better prepared to manage road infrastructure during and after disasters.
