The IFP has slammed the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro for its failure to roll-out an Integrated Public Transport System.

IFP Spokesperson on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Peter Smith, MP, said, "The abject failure by the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro to roll-out this project for the second time, has resulted in National Treasury withdrawing its budget allocation as the Metro has failed to utilise same. This is primarily due to the failure by the Metro to appoint a Chief Financial Officer and Head of Infrastructure and Engineering. This municipality is failing its residents."

As a result the Stanford Road, Uitenhage Model Interchange and Zwide bus routes will be delayed by at least another year.

"The Metro must now be held accountable for these unwarranted delays as well as the reasons as to why it took so long to fill the vacant post of the CFO and a Head of Infrastructure and Engineering. The Metro must also adhere to its promise of finalising the appointment within the next two weeks," concluded Smith.

The IFP calls on the National Treasury and the National Department of Transport to conduct an investigation into the number of Municipalities that have failed to utilise their allocated budgets for improving transport in their areas of jurisdiction.