R10m bridge under construction in E Cape

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Des van Rooyen will next week visit the communities of Mbashe Municipality in the Eastern Cape to assess progress of a R10-million Mpame bridge project.

Various villages in the municipality are forced to use dangerous makeshift means to cross the local river to access different community services such as schools, hospitals, clinics, churches and other public amenities.

This will soon be a thing of the past as the new bridge is set to bring relief to villagers of Kwa Chezi, Manzibomvu, Mdikana, Mpame Mncwasawane, Ngileni, Mkhathazo and Manzamnyama.

“South African municipalities are faced with serious service delivery infrastructure backlog which has led to the establishment of the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA), under the Cogta Ministry, to accelerate the delivery and maintenance of infrastructure in municipalities.

“Since its establishment, the agency has implemented various projects as requested by various municipalities – the construction of Mpame Bridge is one of its latest project to improve municipal service delivery infrastructure,” said the department.

Minister van Rooyen has expressed excitement over the new investment, adding that MISA is at advanced stages of completing the new bridge which will benefit communities in line with the country’s constitution that guarantees a safe and healthy environment for all.

“Ours is a caring government that will stop at nothing to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of our people wherever they are, hence we have decided to restore the dignity of Mbashe communities by relieving them from this hardship and thus giving hope.”

The Minister will conduct the assessment on 15 August.