Times Of Swaziland: Rehabilitation of MR3 Highway to cost E1bn

Rehabilitation of MR3 Highway to cost E1bn
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JABULISA DLAMINI on 04/04/2011 00:00:00


MANZINI - The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has revealed that the
future rehabilitation, upgrading and maintenance of the MR3 Ngwenya-Manzini road
will cost an estimated E1 billion in the next 10　years.
This was said during the scoping meeting held at the Manzini City Council
chambers on Saturday.
Present during the meeting was the Ministry of Public Works and Transport
Project Manager, Linda Magagula, the main consultant in the project, Richard
Gordon from Gibb Africa, junior consultant, Joe Mokgokong, Manzini City
Council’s Madoda Dlamini.
Also present were concerned members of the public who included Walter Bennett
and residents of Mhlaleni, where the Manzini toll gates will be constructed.
Gordon said about E1 billion would be necessary for the next 10 years and E2
billion over the 20-year planning horizon.
He said tolls on the road are scheduled to commence by February 2013.
"The Toll Roads Management Company is to pay tolls into a dedicated account and
the revenues are to be used for toll road operations, maintenance and
rehabilitation, safety, intersection and capacity improvements and future
national route toll road expansions," he said
Gordon said a competitive bidding process will be followed in order to sel- ect
an operator for the project.
He said Swazi citizen empowerment and job creation targets were stipulated in
the bid process to maximise local participation and skills development.
Gordon said the tollgates will enable government to use its budgets to provide
other services.
"The tolling of the Ngwenya-Manzini MR3 road will secure the future maintenance,
rehabilitation and upgrading of this vital economic link for the citizens of the
country. It will also deliver immediate infrastructure improvements to the MR3,"
he said.
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Comments
Swaziland does not need toll gates, that will cause a huge consumer loss. How
much would the Manzini-Mbabane public transport users pay if toll gates are
introduced? Government has to find other means, such as increasing road tax by
E5, or attaching to the petrol prices. please someone with power think about
this.
Apr 4, 2011, 9:57 AM, thinker (thinking@mymail.com)