Page 15 - Logistics News - August 2021

OP I N I ON

A well-maintained road network is critical for South has led to a manufacturer relocating, is a very good example
Africa. Roads are the arteries of the country – allowing of how local, smaller roads are required to provide efficient,
people and goods to move – for business, career, pleasure safe and reliable services.
or personal reasons. They are crucial to the development
of any nation and are the foundation to alleviating poverty Maintenance and development of roads has been a
and facilitating the move of individuals to better lives, long festering sore in the eyes of the public – especially
where there are better opportunities. with the whole matter around the e-toll Gauteng Freeway
Improvement Project (GFIP).
It is a misnomer to think that the only roads that
matter are the beautiful multi-lane national roads. Whilst Roads must be maintained. Once they fall into
they are, of course, exceptionally important, the rural disrepair, the rate of accidents will increase, the cost of
infrastructure is what gets all the agricultural, mining maintenance will spiral, and in the freight sector those
and first level manufactured goods to the processing costs will be passed on to the consumer as there is no
and manufacturing centres. Without these roads – and other choice. In addition, the reliability of many services,
many of these are dirt roads – the nation will not be able such as ambulances, police, fire services and electricity
to feed themselves. Within towns and cities, the road maintenance, will be nil.
networks allow greater movement of society for work and
pleasure purposes, as well as for the movement of crucial Authorities need to be held accountable for the roads
items, including medical supplies, security, infrastructure under their care, for the allocation of funds for roads that
maintenance and support. The recent stories in the media they receive (but is often spent elsewhere), and the use of
regarding the state of roads in a North West town, which those funds in the road network.

The loss of skills and expertise in engineering,
design and construction cannot continue. Roads
should be funded by the general fuel levy (GFL).
If this levy had been applied solely to roads in the
manner required many years ago, this would have
ensured that periodic maintenance would occur,
and we would not have the roads we have today.
As at April 2021, the GFL was R3.93 per litre, or
approximately 23 percent of the retail price of petrol.
It is estimated that the GFL will deliver R86-billion to
the treasury to be applied as the Minister sees fit.

The fuel levy should be ringfenced and allocated
to SANRAL. This agency can hold various road
authorities accountable, whilst also providing
expertise, assistance in identifying reliable road
contractors and engineering support. The Portfolio
Committee on Transport and a public oversight body
– similar to the National Energy Regulator of South
Africa (NERSA) but not a state-owned enterprise
– should then hold the Minister of Transport
accountable for the state of the roads and ensure that L O GI S T I CS NEWS
the maintenance, repair and development occur as
required. •

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