Ramaphosa outlines action plan after floods
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa said yesterday that the government would help the people of the province rebuild their lives and to help business get back on their feet after devastating floods damaged infrastructure and led to loss of lives.
At a meeting with KZN organised business in Durban yesterday, Ramaphosa was joined by ministers Pravin Gordhan, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Fikile Mbalula and KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala.
Chief executives of some of the biggest companies and employers in the province raised several issues including the damaged rail system and how it was adding to daily logistic expenses.
“As government, we are firmly committed to give the business community in KwaZulu-Natal all the necessary support, resources and technical capacity to recover from these catastrophic events. The KwaZulu-Natal economy is a vital part of the national economy.
“The economic reconstruction and recovery under way across the country in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic cannot succeed without the swift, comprehensive and sustainable recovery of the economy of KwaZulu-Natal,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa said the Port of Durban was crucial to the national and continental economy, and progress was being made in terminal clearing, rail line water draining and reopening, stormwater jetting and the repair of sea walls.
He said capacity for port traffic had been restored and the port has handled more than 100 vessels since April 13. Tugs are all operating at full capacity.
Ramaphosa said Transnet was dealing with rail infrastructure damage but this was likely to take some time given the extent of the damage.
“A number of road repair projects have been identified with an immediate focus on the N2 and N3 highways. The necessary systems are being put in place so that those are not delayed and that they proceed as quickly as possible.”
The interruptions to rail have impacted the delivery of exports to the port, with automotive and citrus produce particularly affected.
He said discussions were under way between Toyota and eThekwini on what measures were needed to restore the Toyota plant in Prospecton to full capacity, but also to address what was needed to secure resilience for the future.
“We have had discussions in today’s meeting on measures to provide financial support to both big and small businesses in distress. It is critical that this support is mobilised as a matter of urgency to ensure that businesses can stay afloat and that jobs can be sustained.
“This disaster proved to us that we are not (that) ready to deal with natural disasters,” the president added.