The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport has pledged R33 million towards the upgrading, and maintenance of roads and streets in Mahikeng, including Mmabatho.
Our initiative is informed by a call made by the Premier of the North West Province, Mme Thandi Modise that the provincial government ought to do something and assist, in order to improve the current state of the historical town, which is also the seat of the provincial government.
We have managed to source R33 million from various programmes in the department. I am of the view that this is a noble contribution we are pledging today as a department, to help kick-start what is indeed a very good cause.
We therefore call upon other provincial departments to also come to the party and put shoulder to the wheel.
We are confident the amount we have just pledged as a department, will not compromise any of our programmes and other activities before the end of the financial year in March 2011.
However, the R33 million in the kitty, is just a drop in the ocean, if indeed we really want to give Mahikeng the look and a feel of what a capital city of the province should be.
I will also be approaching the National Department of Public Works to engage them to come on board, and specifically to find out from them how they too can also assist and contribute in this massive project to give Mahikeng a desired facelift.
As a custodian of all government buildings in the province, my department will also fast-track the refurbishment and the proper maintenance of government buildings, especially office buildings in Mahikeng and Mmabatho.
To this end, I will as a matter of urgency speak to the Executive Mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema, Ms Pinky Mokoto, as well as the Mayor of the Mahikeng District Municipality, Mr Desmond Jabanyane.
The challenge I will put to both is to persuade them to dig very deep into their coffers to match our R33 million pledge and even go beyond.
We all know that this is very possible because together we can do more.
Status with regards to critical vacant posts
I’m pleased to announce that we have now finalised appointments of five senior officials in critical posts of a Chief Director and four Directors. We expected them to resume duties at least by March 01, 2011.
We will introduce the new officials once they report for duty, but I can confirm that two women are among the new recruits.
With regard to the positions of the Head of Department and Chief Financial Officer, I am also pleased to report that the short listing has been completed. Interviews will start once all the administrative processes have been completed in about a week.
Situations permitting, I am very optimistic that my department will have an HoD and CFO at least by the end of March 2011.
Road conditions and general maintenance
The country’s road network, including North West, has not been spared by the torrential rain we are experiencing this season.
In our case, potholes have multiplied on several roads and overgrown grass along our roads is making visibility extremely poor for motorists traveling on some of our provincial roads.
To this end, we have 60 contractors on site doing grass-cutting on specific roads in all four districts of the province. At least six roads per district, will be resealed, patched and marked (i.e. road markings) before the end of the month. We are in the process of finalising the appointment of contactors for this very important task.
This road maintenance project in the four districts will cost approximately R180million. As part of job creation, we have issued a directive to contractors to include EPWP beneficiaries from various communities in areas where these projects are being undertaken.
While still on the issue of roads, the department is planning a sod-turning ceremony, to officially kick-start the construction of the paved road between Ganyesa and Tlakgameng in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. The contractor is already on site.
Details of the sod-turning ceremony will be communicated once they are finalised.
I am also informed that work is progressing reasonably well on the Koster to Lichtenburg road. I will personally monitor, on a regular basis, progress the contractor is making until this road project is completed.
Status with Brits Hospital and Vryburg Mini-Garona
I will extend an invitation to you before the end of the week, to accompany me to Brits in the Madibeng Local Municipality, hopefully for Tuesday next week, to go and see for ourselves the progress we have made at Brits Hospital.
I am informed the contractor is performing extremely well there, but seeing is believing.It will therefore be proper for all of us to make an unexpected visit on site.
With regards to Mini-Garona in Vryburg, the new contractor is also on site and I’m confident that project is finally in good hands. It is expected to be completed before the end of 2012.
In conclusion
Hopefully before the end of the month, we expect a final report from Gobodo Incorporated. This relates to the investigation we commissioned into the R40 million lease agreement my department purportedly facilitated on behalf of our client Department of Health and a private company.
Central to the matter, is the new Head Office Building for the provincial Department of Health which is situated next to the Crossing Shopping Centre in Mahikeng. Once we have received and studied the report, we will make it public.
I thank you for your time
