Repairing Free State roads will cost R29 billion

FF Plus

Repairing Free State roads will cost R29 billion
Repairing Free State roads will cost R29 billion

Approximately R29 billion is needed to repair the Free State’s roads.

This amount was confirmed to the FF Plus in a reply from the Provincial Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport during a portfolio committee meeting.

The total budget for the Free State amounts to approximately R41 billion – thus, repairing the province’s roads comprises about 70% of the province’s entire budget. It is unrealistic.

The Department’s current budget for the coming financial year is R3,3 billion, and must be used for community safety, roads and transport.

The Department also confirmed that five road contracts are currently being settled through legal processes. These projects amount to more than R98 million. Disputes between contractors and the Department are currently sub judice. And in the meantime, critical road repairs remain unfinished.

In addition, there are numerous claims for damages and injuries by road users against the Department because of the terrible condition of the Free State’s roads. These claims add up to more than R65 million.

The astronomical amount that the Free State needs to fully repair its roads is a direct result of nearly three decades of mismanagement, misguided budgetary priorities, failed Black Economic Empowerment and corruption under ANC rule.

The FF Plus has already received written replies from the Department regarding which contractors were appointed these past five years to build and repair roads in the province; the party will try to trace any patterns in how these contracts were awarded.

Clearly, the ANC is unable to resolve the backlog with road repairs.

The only solution to the province’s road crisis is to get rid of the ANC.

Read the original article in Afrikaans by Armand Cloete on FF Plus

SOURCEFF Plus