DA demands the repair of unsafe Lichtenburg P 183-1 road

Issued by Gavin Edwards MPL – DA Chief Whip: North West Provincial Legislature
15 Nov 2022 in Press Statements

Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbite in English and Afrikaans by Gavin Edwards MPL.

The DA is calling on the North West Department of Public Works and Roads to repair the P 183-1 road known as the Deelpan/Nooitgedacht collector road to Lichtenburg.

The road has fallen into such a dire state of disrepair that vehicles cannot use the road without the risk of a breakdown and serious damage.

It is disappointing that government allowed this road to deteriorate to such an extent. The potholes are knee-deep and pose a safety risk to the hundreds of commuters who use the road daily. See images here, here , here and here.

Trucks, taxis and even emergency vehicles that need to access the area are unable to do so safely.

The road that connects the communities of Weltevreden, Mooipan Louisdal in Mahikeng to Lichtenburg is also in a deplorable state. Following rains, the road develops a muddy pool becoming inaccessible to vehicles. See images here and here.

The Department of Public Works and Roads should intervene.

Roads throughout North West are in dire need of maintenance repairs, rehabilitation or resurfacing yet the Department of Public Works has failed to conduct any maintenance projects to provincial roads during the 2021/22 financial year, citing procurement issues.

There is funding for the maintenance and repairs of roads, but there is no will nor appetite from the provincial government to do so.

The procurement issues referred to is due to corrupt officials trying to reserve tenders for specific companies to which they have links to.

The DA wrote to the Acting Chief Director of Roads Management at the Department of Public Works and Roads, to provide a clear plan of action to repair the P 183-1 road. This is a critical transport corridor for commuters and residents along the road and deserves the highest priority and attention from the provincial government to ensure that it is maintained to an acceptable standard.