THE KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, has announced the construction of the much-awaited river bridge that will connect the communities living in the areas of uMsinga and Nkandla.
The R53-million Khomfini / Tugela River bridge will give a lifeline to the people of the two areas, who are currently forced to travel more than two hours to connect with one another.
The bridge will hopefully also reduce the numbers of drownings and give access to schools, health facilities and shopping centres.
The bridge will be constructed over a period of 18 months and will create more than 30 direct job opportunities to local people.
Most poverty stricken
Both Nkandla and uMsinga are among the most poverty stricken rural villages in the province.
The KZN Department of Transport has earmarked an investment of more than R1-billion to fast-track underway development of road infrastructure and create mobility in the uThungulu and uMzinyathi districts.
Addressing more than 3 000 community members during the official handing over of the contractor, MEC Mchunu was reaffirmed government’s commitment to developing rural communities.
‘The legacy of poverty and inequality is physically visible in areas such as Nkandla and uMsinga.
‘The government’s policy of prioritising development, including rolling out infrastructure development in rural areas, is correct and is being aggressively pursued.
MEC Mchunu also expressed satisfaction that the province was fast achieving the Provincial Growth and Development Plan.
This plan emphasises the need for connecting small towns and rural communities to major corridors to increase participation in the mainstream economy.
Road construction
Among mega roads and bridges projects that have been completed in the Nkandla and uMsinga municipalties are the construction of P15 in Kranskop (R313-million), the P50 in Nkandla at a cost of (R308.4-million), the Nsuze River bridge (R3.5-million) and the P496 (R1.1-billion).
Among the key projects currently under construction in uMsinga is the P16, which is more than 80km long (R3-billion), the Tulwane / Tugela bridge (R40-million) and the P230 linking Empangeni and eShowe at a cost of R312-million.
MEC Mchunu assured the community that the government will continue investing in infrastructure, including revamping the old existing infrastructure to improve the provincial road network to boost economic development and growth.
