The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has raised concerns following attempts to disrupt the construction of the Mtentu Bridge near Bizana in the Eastern Cape. The incident occurred earlier today, Wednesday, 16 October 2024, when community members, reportedly from uMgungundlovu village in Amadiba within the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality, blocked access to the site, preventing employees from proceeding with their work.
SANRAL acknowledged the challenges that may arise in large-scale projects like the Mtentu Bridge, which is part of the N2 Wild Coast Road project and carries an estimated budget of R4 billion. Despite these challenges, the roads agency has consistently advocated for open dialogue and constructive engagement to resolve any misunderstandings or disagreements.
Since the launch of the N2 Wild Coast Road project, SANRAL has actively engaged with communities along the corridor, including those in Amadiba, to ensure alignment with their needs and expectations. The Mtentu Bridge, a flagship component of this initiative, has been the focus of ongoing discussions aimed at addressing community concerns and fostering collaboration.
As part of its community engagement strategy, SANRAL has established a Project Liaison Committee (PLC) for all its projects, including the N2 Wild Coast Road project, to facilitate communication between affected communities, the agency, and the contractor.
In August 2024, SANRAL, in collaboration with the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, the N2 Wild Coast Political Oversight Committee (POC), and the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality, hosted a stakeholder engagement session in Bizana. This event provided a progress report and addressed key issues related to the project. More recently, in late September, SANRAL met with the Sigidi community, the Amadiba Tribal Authority, and the PLC to provide an update on construction progress.
SANRAL has announced plans for a stakeholder engagement in the Amadiba area in the coming weeks to offer updates on construction packages, skills training, and development programs that will benefit the local community as part of the N2 Wild Coast Road project. The event, initially scheduled for October, was postponed due to the tragic Lusikisiki massacre.
Reiterating its commitment to the timely implementation of its infrastructure program, SANRAL stated that it would not tolerate any further disruptions. The agency assured stakeholders and communities along the Wild Coast corridor that the participation and empowerment of locals in the project remain a top priority. SANRAL emphasized that meeting its Contract Participation Goals (CPG) is essential to fulfilling its broader transformation objectives.
SANRAL remains committed to maintaining open lines of communication and collaboration to ensure the successful completion of the Mtentu Bridge and the broader N2 Wild Coast Road initiative.
