The Eastern Cape government has joined hands with the private sector to raise funds towards the construction of a bridge across Dikidikini River that joins several villages in Ntabankulu.
During heavy rain season, people are loaded in plastic drums and pushed across the river as it overflows and there have been reports of people who have been swept away and lost their lives. Ntabankulu Local Municipality Mayor Tsileng Sobuthongo says the injection of R51 million for the construction of the bridge will see many people have access to government facilities across the river.
“I believe that everyone has seen the bridge that was at some point trending on socials showing the people of that area crossing using a drum, which was unsafe but now we are able to say there is progress that the government has done to ensure that we address that issue. The contractor will now start working, the value of the contractor is R51 million when we combine the cost of the bridge and the professional fees,” explains the mayor.