Boost for rural roads

LEPHALALE – Several villages around Lephalale will receive a much-needed road transformation in the near future resulting from an agreement between Exxaro, Road Agency Limpopo (RAL) and the Lephalale municipality that was signed last Thursday morning.
According to Ramesh Chhagan, speaking on behalf of Exxaro, the 47,6km roads will give a large number of people living in rural areas the possibility to better their lives substantially. “It is worrying to notice the high unemployment rate in some of the villages and as a company we hope that the new roads will enable people to have access to more employment opportunities.”
The mayor of Lephalale, Jack Maeko, indicated that despite widespread rumors claiming that the roads will not be built, the municipality together with RAL and Exxaro have achieved a big milestone for the area. “The 40 jobs that will be created during the design phase and a further 200 jobs during the construction phase will only be the beginning of the positive spinoff of this agreement.”
Maeko urged RAL to continue with their involvement in upgrading the roads in the Lephalale area stating that the access bridge towards town also needed urgent attention.