– DA demands urgent action at Upington Industrial Park.
– Closed gates and failing infrastructure are hurting businesses.
– Government must fix the park and protect jobs.
The Democratic Alliance is calling on Mr Shawn Modise, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Northern Cape Economic Development Agency (NCEDA) to urgently resolve the ongoing crisis at the Upington Industrial Park.
Since 2023, the DA has repeatedly raised concerns about unfinished work, poor maintenance, inadequate security and the impact on businesses.
Despite our pleas, the pattern remains the same. Work starts but is never properly finished, only for old problems to resurface. Promises are made, meetings are held and repairs are undertaken, but businesses are time and again left dealing with the same disruptions.
The latest crisis is the closure of the main entrance gate which has been inaccessible for approximately two months. Businesses, employees, suppliers and customers are being forced to use the old exit as both an entrance and an exit, causing congestion and disrupting daily operations.
The park also remains in a poor state. Paving has deteriorated, standing water has again formed at the entrance, infrastructure is broken and facilities remain vandalised. Security is lacking, leaving businesses vulnerable.
The Industrial Park was intended to attract investment, support businesses and create economic opportunities and jobs. Instead, businesses are being forced to operate around unreliable infrastructure and uncertainty that threatens investment and employment.
Ongoing disputes between contractors and subcontractors over payment and outstanding work cannot continue to hold the park hostage. Whatever the contractual disagreements, businesses should not be left to carry the consequences.
The responsible parties must urgently resolve the contractual and financial disputes, reopen the main entrance, repair the damaged infrastructure, address the drainage and paving problems, restore adequate security and provide businesses with a clear completion plan and regular progress updates.
The park, launched amid great fanfare by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is an embarrassment to Upington.
Businesses have waited long enough. Government must finish the work, secure the park and ensure that the Industrial Park delivers the investment and job opportunities that Upington was promised.
On 4 November, voters can choose a DA-led local government that will deliver functioning infrastructure, support local businesses and create economic opportunities in Dawid Kruiper.