The Chairperson of the National Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs, Ms Noluthando Qikani says the manner in which the North West province has managed to pull all government resources together in implementing the rural development programme as one of government’s key priorities, proves that the objectives of this programme are critical and achievable.
Qikani said this yesterday, (Tuesday), after the committee’s two day oversight visit to the North West province’s Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) pilot site, where projects aimed at improving the lives of the Moses Kotane Local Municipality’s ward 29 are being implemented.
Sites visited by the committee included the brick-making project which is currently supplying 13 projects in this area with paving bricks, the water reservoir site which is expected to finally bring a relieve to challenges of access to water in the area, the building expected to house nine community cooperatives which include the Kgolagano Bakery and Home Based Care, the twelve erected livestock handling facilities, the built low cost houses as well as the renovated Lenchwe clinic.
The committee chairperson further said what is significant about this site is that great strides have been made to ensure that local labour is used in all implemented projects, saying this puts the province in a good position in so far as the creation of jobs and development of skills are concerned.
Commending the province, Mr Mafemani Makhubela who is also a member of the select committee said “I am known in this committee for being a critic, but I did not find anything worth criticising in this pilot site. We are aware however that there are some challenges being experienced in the course of implementing the basket of services for this site, but what convinces us most is that all participating stakeholders have some level of commitment towards addressing those challenges, and that is encouraging”, said Mr Makhubela.
Mr Boitumelo Tshwene, the MEC for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development who is responsible for coordinating the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme in the North West province says all successful projects implemented at this pilot site are as a result of the dedication shown by all participating stakeholders, which include government departments, the local municipality, the local traditional council as well as some private companies.
“We are motivated by the views expressed by the Select Committee and as we reconfirm our commitment to this government priority, we also encourage beneficiaries of this programme to look after the social infrastructure availed as a result of this distinctive programme, in order for us to ultimately realise vibrant and sustainable rural communities”, urged MEC Tshwene.
The completed projects at this site include amongst others, the renovation of primary schools, provision of scholar transport (bicycles), supply of agricultural starter packs, registration of cooperatives and service providers, construction of more than 300 low cost houses, paving of internal roads and the construction of a community pay-point centre. Projects still to be rolled out include, but not limited to, the installation of fifty high-mast lights and the construction of an electronic Rural Access Programme centre.
Five additional sites have been identified in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Ngaka Modiri Molema Districts for the roll out of this programme, and the basket of services for these new sites is currently being finalised.
Enquiries:
Tel: 018 389 5719
Cell: 082 901 2435
E-mail: bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za
Source: North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
