Durban’s pothole crisis: eThekwini Municipality faces asphalt shortage
Durban motorists face increasing danger as eThekwini Municipality struggles with asphalt procurement delays, leaving roads riddled with potholes and uncovered excavations. Local officials and residents call for urgent action to address the bitumen shortage and ensure public safety.
Democratic Alliance PR Councillor in eThekwini Sithembiso Ngema said he was concerned about the municipality compromising the safety and well-being of residents because of their inability to repair sinkholes as well as potholes promptly “endangering the lives of people, infrastructure, and the overall quality of life”.
EThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said there have been supply challenges across the country for some time due to the shortage of bitumen because oil refineries could not supply enough bitumen.
There is also a high demand for bitumen and asphalt due to the high number of South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) projects currently being executed. The municipality is also affected by this countrywide bitumen supply challenge. Sisilana said the number of roads that are rehabilitated is dependent on the available budget.
Sisilana said the City deals with an average of 2103 road defects monthly, this is only potholes and road repairs/patches. This number includes reports from the public and defects identified during routine road inspections proactively conducted by the City’s internal road inspectors.
“Furthermore, the road unit on a two-yearly cycle has a proactive programme whereby roads are assessed for preventative maintenance purposes such as minor to major rehabilitation, crack sealing, diluted emulsion/fog spray, and any other types of preventative seals to extend the lifespan of a road pavement through a pavement management system,” Sisilana said.
The M4 has been identified as a major road rehabilitation project planned for this financial year and this is based on the budget that is available.
Ngema said, “Failure to procure asphalt on time hinders prompt sinkhole repairs, exacerbating the problem. Unrepaired sinkholes pose significant risks to residents, motorists, and pedestrians. Untreated sinkholes lead to further deterioration of roads, increasing maintenance costs. They also disrupt transportation and businesses due to sinkholes affecting local economies.
Ngema recommended that the city expedite asphalt procurement processes and develop a contingency plan for emergency repairs.
“It is also important to increase transparency in procurement processes and communicate issues effectively. The city must work hand in hand with local suppliers to ensure timely delivery. They should allocate a sufficient budget for maintenance and repairs. We urge the eThekwini municipality to prioritise asphalt procurement and the repairs of sinkholes as well as potholes to ensure residents’ safety and infrastructure integrity. We request a comprehensive plan to address these concerns and prevent future delays,” said Ngema.
Ish Prahladh, President of eThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association (ERRA), said some roads were in a pathetic condition. He said the association and the municipality must work hand in hand because the ratepayers are on their ground and know where the bad roads are situated. Prahladh also called for transparency in the budgets so that ratepayers know which roads in their suburbs will be resurfaced.
“This is the same sob story always. No budget. Plumbers and electricians leave excavated road sites open or partially filled with sand. Road repairs by contractors are done without any quality assessment. Why is SANRAL given priority? The damage to vehicles is astronomical. Where are ratepayers’ monies going? Prahladh said.
Motorists can report road defects and potholes through the number 080 311 1111 or use the municipal app to report.
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Daily News