North West Premier Thandi Modise is to host a Special Premier’s Coordination Council for stakeholders in the province to engage with the Minister of Transport, Ben Martins on fast tracking infrastructure development to unlock economic opportunities. The stakeholder engagement meeting is scheduled to be held as from 9h30 am at the Mahikeng Hotel School on Monday.
The objective of the meeting with provincial stakeholders on Strategic Infrastructure Programme (SIP) 4 is intended at deepening understanding of the programme. It is primarily aimed at giving practical expression to President Jacob Zuma’s directive announced during his State of the Nation Address that infrastructure development should be fast-tracked further in the light of the huge backlogs in the province, especially electricity, schools, clinics, roads and water in the next two years.
In welcoming the engagement, Premier Modise said that SIP 4 is part of the National Infrastructure Plan (NIP) adopted by government last year to transform the economic landscape while simultaneously creating significant numbers of new jobs, and to strengthen the delivery of basic services. The plan also supports integration of African economies.
Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan announced in his 2013 Budget Speech that government will over the three years from 2013/14 invest R827 billion in the building of new and the upgrading of existing infrastructure.
“Targeted projects for our province are aimed at acceleration of investments in road, rail, bulk water, water treatment and transmission infrastructure, enabling reliable supply and basic service delivery, facilitating development of mining, agricultural activities and tourism opportunities and opening up beneficiation opportunities,” highlighted Modise.
Members of the Executive Council, The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional leaders, Executive Mayors, Mayors Heads of Departments, Municipal Managers and Chairpersons and CEO’s of State Owned Enterprises are expected to attend the session.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
