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Roads in the North West province are a lot safer after 120 000 potholes and 800 kilometers of tarred road were repaired on the public roads network in the past six months.

Briefing provincial stakeholders on the Strategic Infrastructure Programme (SIP) 4 at the Special North West Premiers Coordinating Council (NWPCC) held in Mahikeng this week, South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) as the implementation agency highlighted that it had thus far spend  R73,1 million on routine road maintenance across the province.

SANRAL projected that it would have spent a further R71,9 on rehabilitation of the road infrastructure by November this year. Other projects for implementation under SIP-4 include the resuscitation of rural towns of Groot Marico, Mahikeng and Taung, rollout of 289 public works projects and 30 additional roads projects. 

Minister of Transport, Ben Martin as the Minister responsible for SIP-4 urged provincial government departments and municipalities to continue to engage and mobilise other stakeholders such as traditional leaders, local businesses, youth and women organisations, individuals and communities to support and participate actively in all SIP-4 projects.

“All stakeholders should exercise leadership within the remit of their responsibilities to avoid duplication and overlaps. Our responsibilities are indivisible. When one sphere fails to carry it mandates, it affects the others – and we all fail,” emphasised Martin in calling for cooperation.

Martins said that emphasis should be placed on outputs that will contribute towards government’s efforts to address the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

“Our people cannot eat our egos. We have to put them aside to accelerate service delivery. Development should not be skewed to an extent that other parts of our province feel neglected and unloved,” emphasised Premier Thandi Modise in calling for unity of purpose.

“Projects at various stages of implementation in the province under SIP 4 are aimed at acceleration investments in road, rail, bulk water, water treatment and transmission infrastructure, enabling reliable supply and basic service delivery, facilitating development of mining, agricultural activities and tourism opportunities and opening up beneficiation opportunities,” highlighted Modise.

In responding to Kagiso-Molopo Mayor, Councillor Motshwari’s plea for investigation of shoddy work on the infamous Tlakameng road, Premier Modise said that province will not hesitate to take action against companies that do not complete projects including blacklisting those that deliver sub-standard work.