Albert Luthuli Municipality community-based labour-intensive IRMA infrastructure provision: Findings of an impact study

Abstract

This paper briefly describes the community-based labour-intensive construction of the Integrated Rural Mobility and Access (IRMA) transportation infrastructure projects using selected beneficiary villages in Albert Luthuli local municipality as case studies. It then unravels the impact of IRMA projects have had on beneficiary communities and the local contractors involved in the projects. One of the major findings of the study was that indeed the IRMA projects have had a positive impact on the quality of life of the beneficiaries as circulation in the communities has been significantly improved, thereby improving markedly access to socio-economic opportunities. However, a compelling and inescapable conclusion which stems from the notion that rural development is an integrated, multi-sectoral activity, and that therefore other essential services such as reticulated water and electricity, improved sanitation, better schools, more quality health facilities, better telecommunications and more job opportunities are required to effect permanent material changes and to achieve sustainable livelihoods, was also evident. It was thus important that other sectors were simultaneously involved from the onset.