As the country celebrates the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) month, Transport, Safety and Liaison MEC, Ms Weziwe Tikana will showcase road safety projects implemented by the department in line with this programme in Cala tomorrow.
The projects includes ‘Animal Shut-Ups’, ‘Road Rangers’ and the installation of Gridiron Gates projects. “One of the unique challenges facing us on the roads are stray animals. They are a constant problem for traffic officials and a major contributor to vehicle crashes on our public roads,” said Tikana.
The appointment of 1 478 EPWP transport sector labourers across the province, which alleviates poverty and unemployment, but also contributes to strengthening road safety initiatives in rural communities, will also be celebrated.
Of the 1478 labourers currently employed, 557 constitutes women, 520 youth and 10 people living with disabilities. This number is expected to increase as the department fast-track the implementation of these poverty alleviation projects linked to its mandate.
Special operations have in the past been implemented to impound stray animals on the roads with the biggest problems experienced on the busy R61 and N2. “It became important for the department to introduce other ways of managing stray animals in a bid to improve safety on our roads. This by no means takes away the responsibility of owners in taking care of their animals however it is an additional safety net created in the interests of all road users,” she added.
In addition to these projects, through the EPWP conditional grant, the department is also employing community members for the implementation of the ‘Walking Bus’ project which is designed to ensure the safety of child pedestrians who have to cross busy roads when walking to school and back home.
The event will take place at the Mioca Hall in Cala at 10am.