Residents of Tshikhudini, Folovhodwe, Tanda, and Tshisimani villages witnessed the official handover of the R60 million rehabilitation project for the D3674 and D3675 roads to the contractor, Theuwedi Trading Enterprise. The ceremony to hand over the project took place last Friday (18th) by Ms Nkakareng Rakgoale, the Limpopo MEC for the Department of Public Works, Roads, and Infrastructure.
MEC Rakgoale was accompanied by Musina Mayor Godfrey Mawela and councillors from the Musina and Vhembe District Municipality.
In February of this year, residents of these villages protested and expressed their dissatisfaction with the poor condition of the local roads, which they claimed hindered essential services, such as quick access to ambulance services and transportation for learners to schools. The residents also complained that on rainy days, learners, especially those from Tshikhudini village, were consistently late for school because of the state of these roads.
Residents are relieved about the new developments aimed at rehabilitating the roads. "This is what we have been fighting for all along. We expect improved service delivery upon the completion of these roads," said one of the community leaders, Mr Stephanus Tshinyelo.
The project includes pavement structures, pipe and portal culverts, and road furniture. Work is expected to commence as soon as the site is prepared, laborers are appointed, and the project steering committee is established. The department stated that the project's implementation was anticipated to create job opportunities for the communities and benefit local small, medium, and micro enterprises.
"The community advocated for better roads. Now we expect their cooperation to ensure that the work is completed within the stipulated time," stated Rakgoale.