Africa Wild

dup wrote:That's Radical economic Change

Not much has experienced radical change just as yet!!

But indeed Dup it would seem that the area in context
inside versus outside up for some very contentious times
in the neat future!! Decision here could have a radical
effect on the park, very little on those abounding the park.

Should matters become that grave then those outside the
park will hardly feel their greatest loss,...

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 05 May 2017


Mr T Z Hadebe (DA) to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs:
(a) What is the estimated cost for the construction of the Shangoni Gate accommodation and tourist complex in Giyani, (b) what is the budget for the upgrade of roads within the Kruger National Park, (c) will the roads be tarred, and (d) will the gate facilitate (i) entry and (ii) exit to Mozambique for local and foreign nationals?

1062. THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS REPLIES:

(a) The estimated construction cost (2017) for the Shangoni Entrance Gate, tourism facilities (Camping site, tented site and picnic site) and tar road is R263 million.
(b) The current funding available is R25 million.
(c) Yes, the roads will be tarred.
(d) The new Shangoni Entrance gate will be used for (i) entry and (ii) exit of all nationals visiting the park.

Now, the replies are a bit vague, considering the questions, probably purposely so. The thing is the minister says the "roads will be tarred"...while SANParks said again on Saturday they would not.

Rp,

Richprins wrote:...while SANParks said again on Saturday they would not.

those roads are earmarked for tar, or perhaps some other form civil ingenuity!!
That's a fact!! Blake Schraader spoke in that sense, explained to us a whole new concept
of road structuring, that Kruger will be subject too!! However he had little financial resource
too such ambitious thought, to date his budget hardly carries a two track maintenance program!

Aikona and self, AW discussed this and came to conclusion that 50.3 kilometers would
amount to between R150,000,000.00>,..R180,000,000.00!!! The honorable one did announce having set aside R260,000,000.00!!!


No no!!! RP, just perhaps the pot calling the kettle black!! Would be bloody racism in perfect practice!!!

The department will pay for the road, H.!

Richprins wrote:The department will pay for the road, H.!

Quite right you are, a .gov initiative, however I merely tried to point out
the discrepancies in budgetary planning. The road only, as agreed will require
at least R160, to R180,000,000.00, leaving a mere R70,000,000.00 plus for
other development. Where will this funding come from? Obviously Sanparks
will be required to fill the gap!!

Question beckoning, which will come first?

Mr. Schraader's explanation seemed to fit the bigger picture, whether they will
ever get there taking into account the .gov junk status and finance liquidity,
another grey area!!

Ja, and possibly a new minister/department in 2019...make hay while the sun shines!

But ja, a small gate and rustic camp does not justify a tar road, as said. Not all gates HAVE to have tar inside the Park...Pafuri's was due to security concerns, for example, and the Moz side has been going fine on a dirt road! Same with Giryondo.

Don't think Century City gate will have a tar road inside and Mjejane doesn't have one either...

Ja Rich, I need to be fair here. Mr. Schraaders comments
need to be expressed in context. He pointed out that in
time passed, certain camps were noted to be of importance.

These are Pt Kop, Malelane, L Sabie, Satara, Letaba and Punda
all serviced by a tar road!! Shingwidzi still lacking in such support.

Hence the Shangoni effort,..again I wish to stress that these efforts
and crazy ideas come from way back!! Lets fling a fox into the hen den!!,

Do you really believe that the honorable one gives a S*2t about what roads
locals travel on !!!! To her they are merely a burden of expense!!

I am also curious as to the time frames involved...the tar road OUTside Kruger will take a very long time, as it will be full-size, so to speak. It will have to be tar, as otherwise there is no point in making the road inside tar.
Therefore basically nothing can begin until the outer road is finalised?

Giyani-Muyexe-Shangoni is about 60km.

Major upgrade of Lim roads over next three years

Jul 16, 2015, 06:56 am
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Jerry Ndou, MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, during a media briefing at Roads Agency Limpopo’s (Ral) head office on Tuesday, announced that contracts for roads maintenance and refurbishment to the amount of R1,2 billion have been awarded.
The twelve major projects will be rolled out over the next three years, of which some are one year and others multi-year projects. Some roads that are partially completed, will also be finalised.
“Limpopo’s road network plays an important role in not only linking local industries to other economic hubs in South Africa and thereby boosting Limpopo’s economic development, but also makes sustainable livelihoods possible for the people of the province,” Ndou said.
Ndou said that among the projects to be rolled out, is the completion of the Ga-Mam­puru Phasha road that connects Ga-Mampuru, Phasha and Ga-Malekane to Molekela in the Sekhukhune district. Contractors started to tar this road in 2011 but the job was never completed. “The Ga-Mampuru Phasha road is a critical bi-nodal road that also caters for freight passenger traffic. Therefore, it has been earmarked as a priority, and upgrading and rehabilitation of the road will commence in the next few days,” Ndou announced.
The maintenance projects will be undertaken on Road D5011 from Nkowankowa to Letsitele, Road D2526 from the R71 to Dalmada, Road D19 between Westenburg and Kalkspruit and Road D9 from Giyani to Malamulele. Resealing and maintenance of Roads D2534 and D27 from Arabie to Marble Hall, Road D2219 between Steelpoort and Jane Furse and Road D887 from Tom Burke to Alldays will also take place.
A number of roads will be upgraded from gravel to tar. Road D1392 from Ga-Malekane to Molekela, D3423 from Moletjie to Ga-Legodi to Mankgodi Road P94/1, Road P277/1 from Mukuya to Masisi and Road D4 from Matsakale to Altein to Shangoni (Kruger National Park Gate), will soon be tarred roads.
Flood damage repairs to roads will be effected on Road P135/1 from the N1 (Musina) to Pafuri and on two bridges on Roads D3213 and D3213 at Kga-Ntata.
Ndou said that he is confident that the right contractors have been selected and that the maintenance projects are set to be completed within six months.
Ndou concluded by saying that Ral is now transformed by the appointment of a new Board of Directors, a new Chief Executive Officer and a number of new executives in key positions. “The Agency, under the helm of the new leadership team, has been tasked to investigate actions that led to the partial completion of Province’s roads under the previous leadership,” Ndou added.

Story: BARRY VILJOEN
>>barryv.observer@gmail.com

http://www.observer.co.za/major-upgrade ... ree-years/