Durban — EThekwini Municipality has been without an approved road infrastructure policy and an information management system plan for more than five years.
This was revealed by an audit of road infrastructure by the auditor-general during the 2015/2016 financial year.
According to the report, eThekwini Municipality did not have an approved policy that encompasses strategic planning, routine and preventive maintenance planning; funding for constructing new road infrastructure; and funding for maintaining existing road infrastructure and addressing backlogs.
A municipal human settlements and infrastructure committee report requested that the eThekwini Municipality roads policy for 2022 be approved for public participation.
The matter will be discussed at a full council meeting this week.
Public participation would allow the public an opportunity to make representations with regard to the proposed policy. The purpose of this policy is to direct the strategic planning of road and associated stormwater infrastructure at a network level.
It will also ensure that repairs and maintenance plans are designed to enhance the value of the road infrastructure assets for the benefit of present and future communities and customers.
The policy will outline the funding strategy for the construction of new road infrastructure; and the funding strategy for the maintenance and repairs to the existing road and associated stormwater infrastructure.
It will define the concept of a backlog and outline mechanisms for addressing it, and outline the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved in the provision and management of road infrastructure.
The AG revealed that the municipality also did not have an information management system.
The report stated that the policy relates specifically to roads and parking areas under the jurisdiction and ownership of the municipality and is therefore applicable to both the Roads Provision Department and the Roads and Stormwater Maintenance Department which respectively own and manage eThekwini’s road network.
The policy provides a framework for achieving the strategic objectives of Integrated Development Planning by focusing on deliverables such as access, levels of service and reducing life-cycle costs. The report outlines the following key aspects in further detail in the policy: the provision of new infrastructure including strategic capital projects, new access roads, sidewalks and the upgrading of gravel roads to a surfaced standard.
It discusses, among others, the routine and preventive maintenance of existing infrastructure.
Daily News