U-Mbalula Ubhodla Umlilo Ngama Potholes

By: Bongani Gina

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says he does not understand why most cities do not prioritise the closing of potholes as municipalities and metros have enough budget for such.

Mbalula has been speaking at the maritime stakeholders engagement  on ocean economy and port infrastructure program in Durban.

He says the issues of low bridges especially in rural areas, and potholes in urban areas continue to be a problem.

Mbalula says he is in talks with the SANDF as he has a plan of working with them to build innovative bridges in rural areas.

On the maritime sector, Mbalula says this industry needs to be transformed to benefit the previously marginalised groups, especially the youth and women.

He says any industry that does not empower the youth, has no fore sight in terms of the future, thus, his department will be investing over a R1 billion for the road, port and ocean-marine infrastructure development and more than 11 000 new jobs will be created in the process.

The minister adds that they’ve also renewed contracts they have with few private ocean industries like Hillside in Richard’s Bay and Dormac in Durban for the development of the maritime industry.

Mbalula says this exercise will contribute a lot in the growth of oceans economy.