LUSIKISIKI- In a significant victory for environmental protection, the R1.75 billion Msikaba Bridge project in Lusikisiki has received a clean bill of health from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment(DEFF).
This endorsement is a testament to the South African National Roads Agency Limited’s(SANRAL) commitment to responsible environmental practices.
According to SANRAL’s Southern Region environmental coordinator Nenekazi Songxaba, the positive audit outcome is a welcome validation of the agency’s rigorous environmental protection measures.
“The timing couldn’t be better as we celebrate National Environment Month,” Songxaba noted. The Msikaba Bridge, part of SANRAL’s N2 Wild Coast Roads project, is a massive greenfield project that required careful planning to minimize its impact on the surrounding landscape and species.
In addition,to reduce potential environmental risks, SANRAL developed a comprehensive Environmental Management Plan(EMP) for the project. This plan involves monthly or quarterly audits as well as the presence of a full-time environmental officer on site to ensure compliance.
SANRAL Chief Executive Office(CEO) Reginald Demana said, “We have an environmental management plan for every project which guides us to minimise or avoid adverse environmental impact. But we are going beyond this and looking at ways in which we can make our road construction material more durable, sustainable and eco-friendly.”
Furthermore Songxaba dispelled misconceptions about SANRAL’s approach to environmental protection, highlighting the agency’s commitment to public participation and community engagement.
“We have meetings, we have signed agreements and we make sure we’re on the same page as the communities,” Songxaba explained.
The success of the Msikaba Bridge project serves as a model for future infrastructure development, demonstrating that environmental sustainability and economic development can coexist.
As SANRAL continues to prioritize environmental protection, it sets a positive example for other organizations to follow.
Photograph: Construction of Msikaba bridge in Lusikisiki
Photograph: supplied
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