“The road network in our province was already in a poor state due to years of neglect by the authorities. The recent deluges [of rain] have exacerbated the situation to such an extent that farmers are finding it extremely difficult to continue with their activities,” Willem Symington, president of Agri NC, told Farmer’s Weekly.
“For example, livestock transport has virtually come to a standstill as roads are no longer traversable. Contractors either refuse to use them or charge prices so high that farmers struggle to afford them. Farmers are also finding it very difficult to access nearby towns for supplies.”
Symington explained that declaring a state of disaster would enable authorities to access additional funds and begin work on the roads without delay.
“We can’t continue like this. The lack of effective management over many years has played a major role in the deterioration. In many cases, roads
were not correctly bladed or shaped to allow for proper water drainage. This has resulted in the edges of the roads being elevated in such a way that they trap water on the surface, effectively creating dams,” he added.
“Without proper drainage and maintenance, the same roads are being repeatedly repaired ineffectively. The ever-deteriorating network places a massive strain on the agricultural economy and the broader provincial economy.
“Agri NC is committed to assisting the authorities in identifying and prioritising the roads that need the most urgent attention,” Symington concluded.
