Housing audit needed to address access, accountability
by Melinda Hattingh MPL – DA Northern Cape Spokesperson of Roads & Public Works
Date: 28 March 2017
Release: Immediate
Type: Press Statement
The DA welcomes a commitment by the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works to give attention
to gravel road 3090 in the De Aar region that was badly damaged by recent heavy rains.
This comes after the DA reported the road to the department and appealed for an urgent intervention, given the
negative impact that the poor road is having on the agricultural economic sector.
The gravel road, predominantly used by rural communities has become almost inaccessible. This has been
affecting the livelihoods of farmers who are dependent on road 3090 as an access road.
A prime example is the situation of a local sheep farmer, who has sheared all his sheep but cannot get trucks to
come and load the wool because of the poor road conditions. This is detrimental to the farmer, who is still battling
the after effects of the drought and whose very financial survival is dependent on urgently generating a flow of
income.
During last week’s legislature portfolio committee meeting, the chief director for roads said the contractor would
be on site within the next 30 days.
The DA will monitor the department to ensure that it follows through on its commitment.
Bad roads threaten sustainable rural livelihoods and cannot be tolerated, especially at a time when our economy
is at an all time low and requires every bit of business, no matter how big or how small, to save jobs and put food
on the table.
Media Enquiries
Melinda Hattingh MPL
DA Northern Cape Spokesperson of Roads & Public Works
082 494 6648
Shelley De Witt
Researcher
082 847 1387
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