South African National Roads Agency Limited’s (SANRAL) R2.2 billion infrastructure programme in the Eastern Cape will help prepare the region for integrated growth and development, says its outgoing CEO, Nazir Alli.

There are 32 engineering projects currently underway on the national road network in the Eastern Cape. Alli said the province’s road infrastructure development programmes will address poverty, unemployment and income equality.

“The programmes will benefit local and regional economies by laying the foundation to further improve the attractiveness of the region for foreign and direct investment, create safer and sufficient walkway and road-crossing infrastructure for pedestrians, and improve road surface and safety conditions for motorists,” he said.

SANRAL Southern Region Manager Mbulelo Peterson said the roads agency was proud of innovative community programmes that run parallel to conventional road engineering projects.

“These developmental programmes have been designed carefully, taking the needs of communities in the region into consideration,” Peterson said. – SAnews.gov.za