The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has exceeded its targets for locals to benefit from the construction of the Msikaba Bridge. Msikaba is one of two-mega-bridges on the N2 Wild Coast Toll Road (N2WCR).
SANRAL reported on Saturday that it had already exceeded its contract participation goals (CPG) for the Msikaba Bridge, with more than R550 million spent on targeted enterprises (Small, Medium, Micro Enterprises and suppliers). This translates into huge economic impact for Eastern Cape and local communities, with massive socio-economic benefits flowing to the region.
The report featured in a meeting of the N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) Political Oversight Committee (POC) meeting held at the Lusikisiki Resource Centre. The meeting was attended by the Chairperson of the committee, MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Mr Xolile Nqatha, MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Zolile Williams, the Mayor of Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, Councillor Nonkosi Pepping, the Mayor of Port St Johns, Councillor Nomvuzo Mlombile-Cingo, and traditional leaders affected by the N2 Wild Coast Road development.
The Msikaba Bridge contract’s CPG for targeted enterprises (that is SMMEs and suppliers) is a minimum of thirty percent of the contract value (R1.65 billion). To date R553.2 million (107% of the target) has been spent on 157 targeted enterprises which comprises 44 suppliers, 52 service providers and 61 sub-contractors. R92.8 million has been spent on wages of local targeted labour, which is 108% of the 5% CPG target (R86 million). Meanwhile 453 full-time equivalent jobs have been created to date, with 391 of these being occupied by local persons.
“SANRAL has risen to the occasion once again and has made a huge difference to the lives of people in local communities through job creation and business opportunities on the N2 Wild Coast Road development. This region will never be the same. We appreciate SANRAL’s drive for socio-economic development, which also places an emphasis on a consultative approach and stakeholder engagement,” said MEC Nqatha.
The meeting provided a progress report on the N2 Wild Coast Road project and the socio-economic impact on communities as a result of the project. The meeting engaged the traditional leadership on issues of contention including introduction of projects to the affected traditional leadership (“ukukhahlela”) prior to commencement, issues around contested traditional leadership, access to villages, project disruptions and delays, as well as encroachment on SANRAL’s road reserve.
The traditional leadership raised concerns about the interdicted SANRAL contract for the construction of the road from Lingeni to the Msikaba Bridge, saying that the delay presented challenges in the community, particularly for the households affected by relocation who are now in limbo. They further urged SANRAL to engage stakeholders opposed to construction of the highway, such as pressure groups opposed to the current alignment in the Amadiba area. The traditional leaders urged SANRAL to ensure prompt progression of the project.
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Zolile Williams, said he appreciated the cooperation from the traditional leadership on the N2WCR development. He cautioned that it was important to understand the process of “ukukhahlela” and the potential exploitation thereof. The MEC said that the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (ECHOTL) should be brought closer to the process to manage some of the contentious issues related to traditional leadership.
“Traditional leaders are part of the programme, they are fully behind the development. Their plea is for SANRAL to move with speed to construct the road and to ensure that no one will interfere with that. They have expressed interest to engage the Amadiba Crisis Committee which is opposing the project as they want to avoid anyone from preventing development in this area as this project will benefit local communities and address the road infrastructure backlog,” said MEC Williams.
