Eastern Cape Transport to launch rapid road response teams

Eastern Cape Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha is set to launch new Rapid Response Teams on Tuesday, 29 September, as the department wraps up its Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Month activities.

The launch will take place in Maletswai, formerly Aliwal North, and will be followed by an awards ceremony recognising EPWP teams, districts and individuals for their contribution to projects across the Eastern Cape.

According to the Department of Transport, the Rapid Response Teams are intended to strengthen its ability to deal with urgent and routine road-maintenance needs across the province.

The programme will establish structured and mobile road-maintenance teams by reconfiguring eligible participants from the Household Contractor and Youth Brigade programmes.

The teams will be deployed to priority roads, high-risk areas and important road corridors identified by District Roads Engineers.

Each Rapid Response Team is expected to consist of a supervisor, a technician and between 10 and 15 skilled personnel.

Their work will include pothole patching, drainage and culvert maintenance, road markings and signage, fencing, vegetation control, gabion work, guardrail maintenance and other minor road-maintenance work.

The department said the initiative is also aimed at providing participants with practical experience as well as technical and workplace skills that could improve their prospects of finding employment or pursuing further opportunities in the construction and roads sectors.

Suitable participants are expected to receive support towards Construction Industry Development Board registration, contractor development and supplier or business-incubation opportunities.

The department said this is intended to help participants transition from the public employment programme into longer-term employment and enterprise opportunities.

The launch forms part of efforts by the department to reposition EPWP as a programme offering skills development and economic opportunities, particularly to young people.

Participants will also have an opportunity to share their experiences of the programme during Tuesday’s event.

The awards ceremony will recognise contributions made by EPWP participants to road infrastructure, road safety and other transport-related programmes across the Eastern Cape.

The programme is scheduled to begin at 10:00 at Limakatso BnB in Maletswai.

The framing stays close to the department’s announcement and attributes its stated objectives rather than presenting anticipated programme benefits as established outcomes, consistent with the Press Code’s requirements for accurate, contextual reporting.