Pretoria – North West Premier Thandi Modise has officially opened the upgraded stretch of road between Sannieshof and Delareyville, which is set to make the movement of people and goods much easier.
The upgraded road, which cost R210 million, is considered a vital link between Gauteng, the North West, the Northern Cape, Botswana and Namibia.
“We are happy because with the completion of this road, public transport will be able to [drive] our people on a proper road… This road is one of the most strategic roads in the province and the country, [and] it is just one of the roads that we will be building in all corners of the province," said Premier Modise on Friday.
She said infrastructural developments such as these empowered local communities through job creation and skills transfer.
Premier Modise was joined by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, and the MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Raymond Elisha, in cutting the ribbon to mark the completion of the project.
"We have managed to transform South Africa from the bad state that it was to a much a better country with better roads, railways, houses, power stations, water infrastructure and access to health care and a good education system," said Deputy Minister Chikunga.
MEC Elisha said the project was part of the transport infrastructure network being developed across the province.
"We believe that a road should not be a road in isolation and as such through this project, we have also prioritised job creation and skills development. We are also happy to say that this is not the only road that we are opening in the province. We will also be opening a road in Mooifontein and many other areas across the province," he said.
CEO of the South African National Road Agency Limited, Nazir Alli, said the project created 413 full time jobs during construction and that R30 million went to the payment of salaries.
Manager at Saamjan Onderdele, Frikkie Pretorius, said the rehabilitated road will bring back good business from travellers passing through Delarayville.
General Secretary of the South African National Taxi Council, Phillip Taaibosch, said the upgraded road was an important development for public transport.
"The taxi industry uses the roads more than any other industry in the country and as such, any improvement on our roads by government is always appreciated because it will reduce the rate of unnecessary breakdowns and delays on the roads. Thus, it saves taxi operators lots of money on repairs," said Taaibosch.
Bakolobeng Kgosi Kogodi Molete said the completion of the road was a step in the right direction.
"Our communities rely mainly on agriculture and this revamped road will make a huge difference regarding the speedy delivery of goods. It will also make a difference with regard to public transport, as many of our people rely on buses and taxis for their transport," said Kgosi Molete. – SAnews.gov.za
