Transparency over costs crucial in infrastructure upgrades

The Federation of East and
Southern African Road
Transport Associations
(Fesarta) has called for
transparency in the costing
of infrastructure upgrades
across the region.
According to Fesarta
executive director, Barney
Curtis, it is imperative that
the entire process around
infrastructure be done
in consultation with the
relevant stakeholders.
The matter, however,
he told FTW remains
unconcluded after being
brought to the forefront
at the first stakeholder
workshop of the SADC
regional infrastructure
development master plan
(RIDMP) in December last
year.
“This is a very important
issue that has to be
resolved and we will table
it again at the Truckers’
Forum in March,” said
Curtis. “The fact that plans
for new infrastructure
and upgrades are not
transparent is a major
problem in the region.
Our feeling is that one
can never do a big project
without involving the
private sector, who
ultimately pay for the
project in the end.”
He said the Gauteng
Freeway Improvement
Project was a perfect
example of infrastructure
being upgraded without
transparency. The project,
which has been placed on
hold due to the massive
public outcry over
costs, is currently under
investigation by the new
Sanral board.
“On a regional scale
it is therefore even more
important to ensure that
there is transparency,” said
Curtis. “The transparency
need not go as far as the
successful tenderer’s
internal financial situation
but should include some
crucial aspects.”