Limpopo MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure Ernest Rachoene held a strategic engagement with the Executive Mayor of Polokwane Municipality Councillor John Mpe t

Limpopo MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure Ernest Rachoene held a strategic engagement with the Executive Mayor of Polokwane Municipality Councillor John Mpe to discuss key service delivery priorities with particular emphasis on the devolution of roads infrastructure to the City.

The devolution of roads entails the transfer of ownership and administrative control, including maintenance and upgrades from one sphere of government to another. This move gives practical effect to the 7th Administration’s commitment to decisively address challenges in road infrastructure provision.

In this regard, the Board of Directors of Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) led by shareholder representative MEC Rachoene resolved to devolve selected roads to Polokwane Municipality in order to fast-track service delivery and stimulate economic growth through the Province’s capital city.

Executive Mayor Mpe reaffirmed Polokwane’s strategic role as an economic catalyst within Limpopo. “The collapse or growth of Polokwane has a direct impact on the province, and as the municipality we are ready to come on board and assist in serving our people working together with the department and its entity RAL,” said Councillor Mpe.

MEC Rachoene emphasised that the devolution process is a necessary intervention to speedy development in communities.

“The District Development Model affords us an opportunity to work together and ensure that we deliver services efficiently, because that is what our communities expect from us as in their eyes we are one government” he said.

To operationalise the decision, a joint task team has been established, co-led by the Chief Executive Officer of RAL Makhitha Chesane and the Polokwane City Manager, Thuso Nemugumoni. The team is expected to develop a comprehensive plan of action.