EBUHLANTI/ MARINA GLENN ROADS TO UNDERGO TRANSFORMATION
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane together with the Buffalo City Metro Executive Mayor Princess Faku turned the sod for the upgrades and beautification of Marina Glen, affectionally known as eBuhlanti earlier this week.

This is great news for the people of the Metro and Province as this is a unique area that is popular for domestic tourism.

Speaking at the event, Executive Mayor Princess Faku said: "The initiative we are launching today fits perfectly with our vision of rejuvenating the East London Beachfront precinct as part of our regeneration programmes in the city."

"We cannot, as the City neglect this place, it is the place of celebrating milestones and happy memories for many," she added. 

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said the government focuses on black economic empowerment because it does not only help the people directly involved, but it also impacts the country's economic growth positively.

"We understand the contractors said the project will be completed by April 2025, but we want to see the stalls operating by December."

"December is peaktime for business here Ebuhlanti," said Mabuyane. 

The infrastructure upgrade will be done in phases and will commence in June 2024 and projected to be completed in April 2025.

Phase 1 of the project will be the upgrading of roads and stormwater. The work to be carried out includes the following: construction of roads, stormwater, manholes and kerbs and it consist of the following: clear & Grub- 8300m2, roadbed preparation, subbase-G5-, Base – G4- , 40mm Asphalt- 8300m2, 900dia stormwater pipe – 60m and 600dia stormwater pipe -220m

Phase 2 will include landscaping, beatification of the area, improving braai and seating facilities, controlled access, waste receptacles, additional ablutions, lighting and fencing. 

The works will be carried out by the Contractor include Asphalt premix which will be used throughout the driveways and interlocking paving blocks will be used on the stands and around the hawker stalls. The project will also open employment opportunities for local people with majority being the women who had stalls at the area since they will have to close down during the upgrade. 

The people who already have stalls operating will received training on Health and Hygiene from the Department of Economic Development. They will also receive umbrellas for their stalls, cooler boxes and branded approns when they officially re-open

2024-05-30