KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers has undertaken to escalate calls for relief on Umbilo’s Sydney Road in eThekwini amid worsening truck congestion near the port precinct.
The congestion threatens local business operations and disincentivises investment in the area.
The MEC recently held a meeting with the Umbilo Business Association (UBA) to discuss the revitalisation of the Umbilo business precinct for a thriving entrepreneurial and residential community, amongst others.
The UBA is a voluntary business association formed in 2010 with its membership comprising business owners operating in Umbilo, Glenwood and the Berea areas of eThekwini.
The organisation has over the years established various community and outreach projects aimed at empowering destitute residents from nearby hostels and informal settlements.
During the meeting, the UBA pointed out that the number of trucks, many of them superlinks or tri-axles, which enter the area daily cannot be unloaded or loaded quickly enough at the receiving sites to prevent illegal parking along Sydney Road or in some streets.
Rodgers commended the UBA for various community projects which include the revitalisation of Congella Park, the establishment of community gardens for the benefit of previously unemployed residents, and the establishment of some parking facilities for trucks.
“From a government perspective, it appears that the proposed public-private partnership will be a unique opportunity to revitalise the Umbilo area. This will ultimately create jobs and stimulate investment as well as ensure that the area is thriving,” Rodgers said.
The MEC also undertook to discuss the proposal within government structures in a bid to secure the UBA the assistance that it requires.
UBA Chairperson, Doran Subiah, said the meeting was most encouraging and positive for their precinct.
“There was a distinct synergy in our approaches to the solutions that will alleviate the challenges we face and ensure sustainable economic growth,” Subiah said. – SAnews.gov.za
