The first component of the Sophia ‘Ring Road’ Project is nearing completion and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Community Coordinator Neilson McKenzie says community input would be s a necessity for the project’s success.
The Ring Road Project will cover the areas known as Liliendaal, Pattensen, Cummings Lodge, and Turkeyen and will see the creation of bridges, conduits, and culverts, the ministry said in a statement.
The main aim of the project, which will extend from ‘A’ through ‘E’ Fields, Sophia, is to create necessary accesses for the evolution of the community, the ministry noted.
The project’s first component is slated for completion in early May but it is expected that it will be completed before then, it added.
According to the ministry statement, during a recent visit to the Sophia area to assess the works underway, McKenzie said residents have been cooperating because they see the need for development.
The first site visited was in ‘A’ Field, Sophia, where at least one home had been removed from the reserve to facilitate works. The homeowner explained that he understood the necessity for such a move to be taken since, ultimately, it was for the development of the community.
According to McKenzie, the necessity for homes to be removed from the dams had been relayed to homeowners by the ministry, thus eliminating any conflicts or confusion.
McKenzie also stressed that greater community participation is a must. He said the ministry has been talking with residents, especially those on reserves, and this process is going apace but must be intensified.
McKenzie added that the ministry is setting up a meeting with the community to sensitise residents on the project.
“We want to interface with all of our communities; we don’t want any confusion. We want people to understand how and why we are doing what we’re doing. That’s very important. We’ve got to work hard in hand to ensure that everything comes together,” McKenzie was quoted as saying.
