Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Jose Coetzee and Sesotho soundbite by David Masoeu MPL. See attached picture here.
The DA in Setsoto has noted with increasing concern the apparent lack of meaningful progress on the rehabilitation of the Marquard/Clocolan (R708) road project.
During a recent oversight inspection conducted by the DA, it was evident that progress on site appears to be considerably slower than what would reasonably be expected for a project of this magnitude. While some work is taking place, the overall pace raises legitimate concerns about whether the project remains on track to meet its intended objectives and completion timelines.
Particularly concerning was the noticeably small workforce observed on site during the oversight. Based on the scale of the project, the number of workers actively engaged in construction appeared limited, raising questions about whether sufficient resources have been allocated to ensure the project proceeds efficiently.
Adding to these concerns are reports that the project’s resident engineer has resigned from the contracting company with immediate effect. While the reasons for this reported resignation remain unknown, such a development naturally raises further questions regarding project continuity, supervision and overall management.
The R708 serves as a vital economic and transport corridor for the communities of Clocolan, Marquard and the surrounding agricultural sector. Residents, commuters, businesses and farmers have already endured years of deteriorating road conditions and deserve confidence that the rehabilitation project will be completed efficiently and to the required standard.
The DA, therefore, intends to submit formal questions to the provincial legislature to establish, amongst other matters:
- Whether the project remains on schedule.
- The reasons for the apparent slow progress.
- How much money has already been spent on the project, and whether it meets the completion ratio.
- Is oversight conducted regularly and are the results in line with the project schedule?
- What contingency measures are in place to prevent further delays?
Oversight is a fundamental responsibility of elected public representatives. The DA will continue to monitor progress on this important infrastructure project and will keep residents informed of developments as information becomes available.
The people of Setsoto deserve transparency, accountability and a road project that delivers on the commitments made to the public.