While farmers with 4x4s fear travelling on the treacherous gravel road that goes from Springbok to the Vaalputs Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility during daylight, lorries filled with nuclear waste are tackling this unsafe road in the dark.
The condition of the Vaalputs Road and the involved risks for the nuclear waste ferried on this road have been an ongoing cause for concern.
In 2016, the state of the road was discussed during a parliamentary portfolio committee meeting with the National Department of Transport, after the DA submitted a petition in respect of the road. The road was said to have contravened international regulations on the transportation of nuclear waste. The National Department of Transport did not refute this and supported the demands of the community for the road to be upgraded. They also committed to assist the province get outside funding for the upgrade of this road.
The fourteen-day deadline passed, and then a year passed. Today, the road is in a worse condition than before, and the constant threat of a nuclear spill looms.
Despite the potential danger, the provincial Department of Roads and Public Works continues to neglect this road. They are of the opinion that low traffic volumes don’t warrant an upgrade. The issue at hand, however, is not road traffic volumes but rather the safe passage of nuclear waste, to prevent it from being spilt due to poor road conditions, which could have adverse consequences for the environment and members of the community.
The provincial department is not blading the road monthly, as it previously claimed to be doing, showing complete disregard for nuclear waste safety regulations. At the same time, there is not even a warning system in place, to ensure that surrounding members could be quickly warned to vacate the area in the case of a nuclear spill.
I have made numerous attempts from municipal level to raise the matter with the District Departments of Roads and Public Works and COGHSTA. Concerned citizens have also been trying to get the matter addressed at a national level.
The DA has referred the matter to the MEC of Roads and Public Works, for her urgent intervention. If the provincial government fails to respond, we will refer it back to parliament via our NCOP delegates, as it is a matter of national importance.
The government must not be allowed to willfully turn a blind eye to such a preventable and serious risk to the greater Namaqualand community.