Rehabilitation of road D1909 to aid tourism

SOD turning ceremony to signal the commencement of the rehabilitation of road D1909 leading to Eastgate Airport, anticipated to attract further direct investment thereby encouraging economic growth in the Maruleng Local Municipality.

REHABILITATION

OF ROAD D1909 TO AID TOURISM

he handing over of the contractor for the rehabilitation of road D1909, leading to Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit within the Maruleng Local Municipality is set to aid tourism and contribute to Limpopo’s economic growth.

The road D1909 at Timbavati, Hoedspruit plays a pivotal role within the said municipality as it links numerous communities and the tourism industry to economic centres in the area. Once refurbished, the road will significantly aid tourism and contribute to Limpopo’s economic growth as many tourists use the Eastgate Airport enroute to the Kruger National Park and other tourist attractions situated in and around the Maruleng Local Municipality within the Mopani District.

TThe Honourable MEC of Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure (LDPWRI), Mme Nkakareng Rakgoale, led the SOD turning ceremony to mark the commencement of phase one of the rehabilitation of the road. According to the MEC, the new developments are part of LDPWRI’s efforts through its implementing entity, Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) to rejuvenate the province’s economic development by providing quality road infrastructure. The MEC’s keynote address emphasised the need for cooperation among all the stakeholders to ensure successful completion of the road project. “We urge all stakeholders to work together and avoid disrupting the implementation of this project. We will make follow-ups

Hon Nkakareng Rakgoale, MEC of LDPWRI, (middle) flanked by Cllr Tsheko Musolwa, the Mayor of Maruleng Local Municipality, (right) and Mr Star Mbhalati, Chairperson of Public Roads and Transport, Mopani District Municipality (left), all in agreement that rehabilitation of road D1909 will provide much needed jobs to locals.

with the contractor and the engineers to ensure that this project is implemented properly and is completed within the stipulated period.”

The Mayor of Maruleng Local Municipality, Cllr Tsheko Musolwa expressed his gratitude for the good news about developing his area. “We are grateful to the MEC and RAL for the road infrastructure they continue to implement across the province. Quality road infrastructure will further unleash our municipality’s economic potential and help with job creation in our area.”

Mr Ngoako Ramaboea, RAL’s General Manager for Operations

“WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE MEC AND RAL FOR explained that the project will be rolled out in phases, commencing with the first stretch THE ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE THEY CONTINUE of 6km from the Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit. TO IMPLEMENT ACROSS THE PROVINCE. A jubilant Mr Kgagotle Malepe, a QUALITY ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE WILL resident of Sedawa Village in the Maruleng Local Municipality, and former student of FURTHER UNLEASH OUR MUNICIPALITY’S Southern African Wildlife College, who ECONOMIC POTENTIAL AND HELP WITH used road D1909 extensively around 2019 shared his delight over the new developments. JOB CREATION IN OUR AREA.” “Seeing this intervention on our road from the provincial and local governments makes me proud as a resident of Maruleng, because this demonstrates that our leaders care about us.” “When we travel along this road, we have to constantly manoeuvre through potholes, which is not safe in the case of oncoming traffic. However, now we are excited to hear that the project to fix this road will commence soon,” said Ms Eudence Moreku, from Acornhoek. “Often, we get to work late and arrive home late as well, becoming prone to fatal accidents due to this unsafe road. Therefore, Scan the fixing it will save our lives,” said QR Code Ms Repent Ngwenya, from to watch Welverdiend Village. this story.