I recently engaged with the community of Nkobongo in ward 8, KwaDukuza, in an effort to address pressing service delivery issues.
Among the concerns raised by the community, one issue that resonated deeply with many residents was the closure of KwaDukuza Municipality’s Nkobongo taxi rank, a matter of significant concern and public interest.
It is with a heavy heart we report that the rank, despite a multi-million rand price tag, has remained locked and unused since its completion in 2022.
During a recent inspection there appeared to be no visible issues that justify the continued dormancy of this crucial community asset.
As a councillor, it is deeply troubling to witness the wasteful expenditure of our hard-earned taxpayers’ money.
Equally disheartening is the economic opportunity that the community of Nkobongo is missing out on due to the rank’s closure.
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This taxi rank was designed not only to serve as a transportation hub but also as a platform for formal and informal trade.
Its operation would have undoubtedly created numerous employment opportunities for our residents, especially those currently unemployed.
• Engage with taxi associations: I will initiate a constructive dialogue with the local taxi associations to better understand their concerns and explore potential solutions for the relocation and activation of the new taxi rank.
• Infrastructure improvements: I will work to identify and rectify any infrastructure deficiencies that may be obstructing the rank’s operation, such as addressing road access, parking and signage issues.
• Review of budget allocation: An evaluation of budget allocations will be conducted to ascertain whether any reallocation of funds within the budget is required to address the issues raised and ensure that the project’s original objectives are met.
The way forward:
In light of these concerning circumstances, I am committed to taking the following actions to address the current situation and ensure that the resources invested in this project benefit our community to the fullest extent:
As a public representative, I am unwavering in my commitment to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to find an equitable solution that maximises the benefits of this project for the community of Nkobongo.
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