DEFENSE MINISTER ENDORSES CONCRETE BLOCK PAVED ROADS IN EASTERN FREE STATE:
Article Date: 11 May 2007
 During a recent visit to the eastern Free State, Defense minister, Mosiuoa Lekota, called for more labour intensive projects such as the local 13km Bokwane Road which was built as part of the Expanded Works Programme (EPWP) with concrete block paving (CBP) using local labour.
The Minister visited the area to view the progress made since the violent protests against poor delivery and leadership erupted two years ago.
Regarded as a political champion of the area, the Minister said he was inspired by the progress made and that several further projects were under way. The Bokwane Road project, which links Phuthaditjhaba with the Makwane and Comet areas is to date one of the largest labour intensive projects to have been undertaken in the area since the riots.
The Defense Minister’s high-profile visit was covered on SABC TV and besides footage of the minister addressing local residents, the road itself was also flighted as an example of what had been achieved.
Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) director, John Cairns, says the road, which was begun in 2004, created over 1 000 jobs, and is one of several to have been surfaced with CBP in the area.
“Work was generated not only in the laying of the actual road, but also in the manufacture of concrete block pavers on site which were made to a compressive strength of 25MPa. Concrete block paving is an ideal medium for building roads in rural and former township areas.
“The construction of roads using CBP meets the Government’s goals of infrastructure development, employment creation, skills development and empowerment. Concrete block paved roads are more labour and less capital intensive than alternative methods of surfacing which is why they are endorsed by the EPWP.
“The benefits of CBP road construction to local communities is considerable, as 25-40% of the total project cost is re-circulated within the community. This helps spawn secondary and tertiary industries which assist in the creation of economically self-sufficient communities,” concluded Cairns.
The CMA is actively promoting road construction using CBP through Gauteng-based Queen Zondo and Solomon Nkosi in KwaZulu-Natal. Anyone interested in further information should contact them on (011) 805-6742 or (031) 450-4540.
Caption:
A section of a newly paved road linking Phuthaditjhaba with the Makwane and Comet areas in the Free State. The road was paved with concrete block pavers, and during its construction, created over 1 000 jobs for local community members.
|
