“The poor state of roads is a major contributing factor hampering social and economic prosperity in rural South Africa, and it most certainly adds to the cost of doing business in our country.  Agri SA therefore supports a dedicated road infrastructure and maintenance fund to deal with the backlog in road maintenance and upgrading at provincial and local level”, said Thinus Ferreira, Chairperson of Agri SA’s Infrastructure Working Group.  

According to Ferreira the road network is the heartbeat of development especially that of rural areas, because it fullfills the basic critical function of providing access and mobility for the execution of economic and social activities.  “The provincial and rural road network is under severe strain and is rapidly deteriorating. This treathens logistics and the safety of road users, while communities are denied access to opportunities such as attending schools, clinics and other essential services,” he said.

The reasons for this state of affairs include heavy traffic volumes, especially damage caused by overloaded heavy vehicles, a neglected rail system,  a lack of sufficient funding for maintenance and upgrading, as well as a lack of poor workmanship.  Many roads simply need to be rebuilt because they have exceeded their lifespan and can now be compared with the worst in the world. The consequenses for agriculture are enormous, resulting in products arriving late and damaged at markets, increases in the cost of vehicle maintenance and transport contractors refusing to provide essential services to the agricultural sector on such roads.

Agri SA, with the assistance of its provincial affiliates, has conducted a study to identify rural roads that require urgent maintenance and upgrading.  A comprehensive document on the status of these roads was compiled and presented to Mr Ndebele, Minister of Transport with a request to discuss the issue at hand.  Agri SA is awaiting a reply from the Minister.

“Other Government priorities have in the past depleted budget allocations intended for maintenance and upgrading of such roads.  Agri SA therefore supports the proposal to ringfence a dedicated road infrastructure and maintenance fund to deal with the road maintenance  and upgrading backlog,” said Ferreira.

It is a well known fact that the country’s economy needs to grow at a rate in excess of 5% if the problem of job creation is to be addressed effectively.  “A well functioning logistical system and specifically an effective rural road network are prerequisites for meaningfull implementation of the country’s rural development strategy. Failure to address the relevant backlogs will diminish the possibility of  achieving the required results,” Ferreira said in closing.

Statement issued by Agri SA May 31 2010