141 urban roads and 20 rural roads will be constructed

The Enugu State Government has pledged N183bn (approximately US$115mn) for the development of road infrastructure across the state

According to an announcement on the Government website, the approvals were confirmed at the end of the State Exeutive Council meeting and approved funding that will see the construction of 141 roads across Enugu metropolis 20 rural roads across the three senatorial zones of the state. Additional funding was also approved the delivery of 133 more smart schools.

These projects are in furtherance of Governor Peter Mbah’s determination to grow the state’s economy from US$4.4bn to US$30bn, achieve a 0% poverty headcount index as well as position the State as a premier destination for business, investment, and tourism explained Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the State Government.

“Recall that before now, the state’s total budget hovered around N100bn and N120bn with capital expenditure of about N30bn or capital expenditure to budget ratio of about 25 to 35%,” stated Onyia. “However, in keeping with Governor Mbah’s promise to de-risk investments, boost production, and run a lean and prudent government, the governor proposed an unprecedented N521.5bn 2024 budget with a capital expenditure totaling over N400bn, which is an equivalent of capital expenditure to budget ratio of about 80% and recurrent expenditure ratio of about 20%.

“Accordingly, the theme that we took away from Exco today is doubling down. The Government is doubling down on infrastructure. If you recall, we started with 71 urban roads and 10 rural roads last year. Now, the governor and the Executive Council have also approved 141 urban roads and 20 rural roads.”

He continued by noting that although there are fewer rural roads in number, the scale of the work is actually greater – three times those approved for the metropolis in terms of kilometres.

“This is part of the strategies to improve the quality of life in the rural communities and importantly to de-risk investments in agriculture,” continued Onyia. “Outside security, which we are effectively dealing with, the big elephant in the room is to scale-up the production and movement of produce from farmlands to the market. We also understand the need for processing, hence the heavy investments in road infrastructure.”

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The project sought to address the high accident rate at the old Breidbach intersection and the traffic congestion. (Image source: SANRAL)

The N2 Belstone Interchange and route MR0688 lining Bhisho to Zwelitsha to traffic has opened in South Africa

The announcement was made by the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) and marks an end to the project that was begun in September 2021. The workscope included the construction of new interchanges at the Belstone and the Breidbach intersections, construction of a link road from Breidbach towards Sweetwaters outside Zwelitsha, free-flowing interchange at Belstone Bridge, dualling of the MR0688 road Bhisho and reinforcement of the concrete structures with the necessary road works.

“The upgrades to this section of the N2 will result in improved management of traffic flow from Bhisho, Breidbach, Zwelitsha and East London, and improved safety for pedestrians and other non-motorised road users,” commented Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s regional manager for its southern region. “The one loop and off-ramp will present safer access to the N2 and improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians.”

A boost for local community

The project was valued at R438mn (approximately US$24mn), with a health proportion being spent on targeted SMMEs. Moreover, SANRAL invested in formal training of 614 locals by accredited training service providers to contribute to the skills development and capacitation of targeted enterprises to ensure they can be self-sufficient beyond the project.

“The benefit to the community goes beyond the new and safer road infrastructure,” continued Peterson. “Through this project, SANRAL was able to create job opportunities for 376 general workers from the local community, with about R106mn spent on wages of targeted labour.”

The Carmix 3.5TT is renowned for its robust performance in concrete mixing. (Image source: Carmix)

Carmix has announced a significant milestone in its partnership with NamWater, Namibia’s national water supplier

After extensive collaboration, NamWater has issued a tender for the purchase of a Carmix 3.5TT. This decision marks a new chapter in the reconstruction of a vital open concrete water canal.

The canal, stretching approximately 150 km from the village and border post of Omahenene to Oshakati, the largest northern town, is crucial for water distribution in the region. Initially, the first phase of the reconstruction, covering around 11 km, was completed in 2021 and 2022 through two different contractors. NamWater has now opted to handle the continuation of this project independently, signaling a strategic shift towards self-sufficiency.

It appears that Carmix’s persistent efforts have paid off as NamWater recognised the efficiency and reliability of the company’s solutions. The Carmix 3.5TT, renowned for its robust performance in concrete mixing, will play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the remaining phases of the canal reconstruction.

Carmix has indicated it is looking forward to supporting NamWater in the ambitious endeavor, confident that the Carmix 3.5TT will exceed the organisation’s expectations and contribute significantly to the infrastructure development in northern Namibia.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project at: www.carmix.com