eMbalenhle motorists want road finished

eMBALENHLE – Motorists are digging deep into their pockets to maintain dents and damage caused by driving on Albert Luthuli Drive.

They are angry with the Govan Mbeki Municipality for taking too long to finish the construction of this road.

Some motorists say they take various other routes to avoid this road and this has added to increased petrol costs.

A motorist from Extension 14 said he paid more for damages to his car caused by the bad road than what he paid for personal use.

He said he has lodged complaints about the road with the Presidential Hotline and is awaiting a response.

Another motorist said negligence by the previous contractor working on the road also contributed to the bad state of the road.

The construction of the road was estimated to be about R9.5 million when the tender was issued in November 2012.

Mr Henry Masango, head of Marketing and Communications of the municipality, said the road is implemented in phases.

“The contractor for Phase 1 is currently on site working on storm water drainage, and the contractor for Phase 2 has been released from the project for non-performance.

“We are in the process of appointing another contractor, preferably the current one doing Phase 1.

“This is the same contractor that finished the road to the cemetery.”

Local councillors and senior officials who attended a day-long meeting at the public library on Wednesday, 14 May, said the council has a plan of action to deal with unfinished projects before the local government elections.

“The ANC has won the general elections and we can not afford to lose votes to other political parties because of unfinished projects.

“People are complaining and we need to listen to them.”