Kouga – On Friday, October 27, the Kouga Municipality Council passed a resolution to secure external funding amounting to R200 million for the vital task of rehabilitating the deteriorating roads throughout the region.
The road infrastructure in the Kouga region is in an extremely dire state, necessitating immediate repairs and maintenance to restore it to an acceptable condition.
This can be attributed to years of neglect dating back further than August 2016 when the municipality inherited a backlog of R500 million in road maintenance from the previous term. It is, furthermore, evident that the recent heavy rainfall has exacerbated the road conditions, intensifying the need for prompt action.
“It is encouraging to see that council recognises the urgency of this situation and is taking urgent steps to rescue our roads,” said Kouga executive mayor, Hattingh Bornman. “The decision to source external funding is a positive step towards the rehabilitation of several critical roads across the region, including Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, the Greater St Francis Area, and Gamtoos Valley.
According to Bornman, this will not only help in rehabilitating roads but will also have a positive impact on the towns and communities in the region.
“Better road infrastructure can boost economic activity, improve the quality of life for residents, and enhance overall development,” he said. “Roads are vital for the well-being and connectivity of any community, and it’s crucial that they are properly maintained.”
Additional mechanisms will be implemented to aid in the rehabilitation of the remaining roads, which will be carried out gradually over an extended period.