R22m set to fix roads as BCM, Bhisho seal deal
THE Buffalo City Metro is to get R22-million between 2017 and 2019 for the maintenance of roads falling under the provincial department of public works.
This comes after the BCM council last week approved a memorandum of understanding between the two parties.
Presenting the report in council on Wednesday, BCM mayor Xola Pakati said the metro had a network of 1 502km of surfaced roads to maintain and 1 230km of gravel roads to maintain.
“There is a road network that belongs to [the] province but runs through BCM that needs to be maintained,” Pakati said in the report.
Although the department is responsible for the maintenance of about 808km of gravel roads within BCM, only 207km will be maintained.
“The department wishes to engage BCM to undertake the maintenance and ad hoc upgrading of the provincial road network on its behalf. Funds are to be allocated by the department to BCM in order for BCM to undertake this function,” said Pakati.
He added that the metro had received many complaints from residents about the state of roads as residents did not know who was responsible for them.
The metro will implement the projects and claim for the work done from the department.
Roads to be prioritised include Fleet Street, Settlers Way and North East Expressway.
Other areas on the list of 48 roads to be maintained are in Ginsberg, Newlands, Fort Jackson, Macleantown, Ncera villages and Ndevana.
Provincial roads and public works spokesman Mphumzi Zuzile confirmed the new agreement.
“The metro applied for the funding and we looked at their spending patterns and audit report outcomes before the agreement was reached,” Zuzile said.
Payment will be made to BCM within 30 days after receipt of the relevant invoices.