​Thembisa Shologu
Phase 1 of the Vereeniging Intermodal Facility project is well underway and is expected to be completed by the end of April. Phase 2 will be finalised by the end of 2023. 
The development of the facility aims to provide taxi operators and commuters with a fit-for-purpose facility that will also stimulate the town's economy. The project's first phase is expected to be completed by April 2023, with Phase 2 completed by the end of 2023.
As part of the Ntirhisano outreach programme, Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MECs for Transport and Logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, visited Sedibeng to assess progress at the Vereeniging Intermodal facility. 
The taxi rank project is part of the renewal programme launched in 2014 that was meant to be completed in one year. However, there were challenges with the contractor. 
"The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) made a promise to the residents of Sedibeng to build them a taxi rank, but there were a lot of issues with the contractor, and things did not end the way we as government anticipated. 
"To fix that, together with Premier Lesufi, we have now decided first to have phase 1 one, and then phase two as part of a building the bigger project," said MEC Diale-Tlabela. 
Diale-Tlabela has apologised to the Sedibeng community, promising to visit the area every three months to monitor progress.
She said the new taxi rank will come with economic opportunities. "We are no longer doing things where we launch a programme and not check on the progress and whether the beneficiaries are happy.
"This is part of the consultation process. Engineers are done with the drawing (plan), and we are now left with taking it to the taxi industry to see if it is what they want, and if they agree, they will sign so that we don't build and there are no people to occupy the space. We aim that at least by 2025, the whole project is finished," said the MEC.
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport and Infrastructure, Nkosinathi Ndwandwe, said they were happy with the project's progress. 
"We have achieved a great milestone today. Everything we have achieved is for all of us to see and soon experience. We will ensure this taxi rank is completed, and anyone found with their hand in the cookie jar will be dealt with," said MMC Ndwandwe.
Taxi drivers expressed gratitude for the building but requested that the government build a shelter over the temporary structure and install lights. 
Meanwhile, the Gauteng Department of Health has condemned the attempt by some community members in Zone 17, Sebokeng, to prevent the newly built state-of-the-art clinic from opening.
The new community health centre replaces the current Sebokeng Zone 17 Clinic in the same yard.
It brings much-needed relief as the old and dilapidated structure can no longer meet the service needs of the community and has no proper working space for healthcare workers to serve the community as it is small and has no adequate health infrastructure, and does not comply with occupational health and safety requirements.
While the genuine issues raised by the community need to be addressed, the department said there is no reason why those concerns must be used to deny others access to much-needed health services, which is a fundamental right.
On Friday, MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, engaged with the community and acknowledged the service delivery issues they raised.
She assured the public that the Gauteng Provincial Government is committed to attending to their concerns and to further working with them to address those.
"We are going to make sure that the issues raised by the community are responded to. The issue of road infrastructure, unemployment, housing, and access to health services is on our agenda. We will not allow the destruction of public amenities or disruption of services. Concerns cans still be raised without destroying property," said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.
The new facility, which cost over R62 million, will provide a basket of health services, including chronic medication, physiotherapy, occupational health, audiology and speech therapy, podiatry, optometry, oral health, integrated management of childhood illness, mother and child services, youth services, school health, dispensary, dietetics and social work amongst other services.
It houses an outdoor exercise area, multiple consultation rooms, two waiting area that can accommodate more than 200 people, admission and observation rooms, courtyards, treatment and rehydration rooms, day beds, and a children's playroom.