RESIDENTS of Dikidikini in the Eastern Cape are putting their lives at risk by crossing the river in a locked barrel.
They took to social media to voice their frustration, showing how they used the drum to cross Mzintlava River in Ntabankulu.
Road and Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxotiwe told Newzroom Afrika that the department was aware of the challenges faced by residents.
“It is a dangerous exercise. The bridge is an access one, meaning it’s the responsibility of the municipality. But we made an intervention to ensure it is one of the 19 bridges to be built this year.
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“We are working with the municipality to deliver the bridge through the presidential infrastructure programme.
“We have 162 bridges that need to be constructed, and there’s a R64 billion backlog of roads and bridges.
“The R2,1 billion allocated from road infrastructure is a drop in the ocean, hence we linked with the presidential programme, where it committed to 19 bridges.”
Ntabankulu Mayor Tsileng Sobuthongo said: “Whenever there is a service delivery issue, our responsibility is to co-ordinate relevant departments to play their role. We have made a budget available to work in the area.We will focus on constructing the bridge, even if we’re short on budget.”
