Ga-Nkoana community outrage over delayed road project

Ga-Nkoana

The delays in construction of internal road at Ga-Nkoana Village in Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM) Ward 36 has been described as a serious poor service delivery by residents.

For the past four years, the 3km Mashung Internal Road Project has been left in ruins after it was abandoned by the first contractor without completing the work.

Another contractor was appointed by FTLM in june 2023 and the project was expected to be completed in April 2024.

However, the project has since been delayed when a group of complaining residents raised concerns to the contractor, citing that after the project is completed, they could not access their yards because the level of the tar road will be positioned on a very low surface from their yards.

They said their worst fear is that constructing the road on a low surface will result in water flooding their yards and houses during rainy seasons.  

According to residents, following the concerns, the contractor demanded that an additional payment should be made by FTLM because re-positioning the level of the road was not part of his scope of work.

The community claims that the project derailed because FTLM is refusing to pay for the additional work to the contractor.

The project’s Community Liaison Officer (CLO), Maphuthi Matheba, told the paper that they have, on multiple occasions, tried to resolve the problem between the community, the contractor and FTLM.

“A number of engagements were made between relevant stakeholders since April 2024 to come up with a resolution, but unfortunately, no concrete resolutions were met,” she said.

Matheba indicated that continued engagements will be conducted between the involved parties to resolve the problem.

“Residents have since submitted a letter of their concerns to the office of the Municipal Manager and they are awaiting a response,” she said.

FTLM Spokesperson, Thabiso Mokoena, promised the paper to respond to the community claims. His response could not reach the publication at time of going to press.