The unemployment rate in the North West Province sits at an alarming 32,2%. Through the Accelerated Service Delivery Plan, the provincial government has prioritised job creation and service delivery to address challenges of social-economic concerns plaguing communities across the province.
The Lekgotla was attended by MEC’s, Mayors and Chairpersons of boards of SOE’s with the primary objective of assessing the performance of the provincial government departments, State Owned Entities as well as all Municipalities. The MEC of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono said, “Economic transformation in the province requires us to look at mega projects that will empower the SMME’s.”
She mentioned that George Dick Montshioa Airport, the best airport on the continent, was supposed to be turned into an Aero-propolis. Mohono declared that this is still doable, this project should be rejuvenated. She also went on to say that recruitment is a problem, “We recruit people without skills and with no capacity.” It negatively impacts service delivery.
Part of the mega projects identified is the Taung Irrigation Scheme which will also receive a facelift, a Smart City in the Madibeng Local Municipality will also be expedited, a SEZ zone in the Bojanala Platinum District and a Fresh Produce Market in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality.
Premier Bushy Maape maintains that the province is well on its course in carrying out and fulfilling these intended objectives. “Government is broadly on track with the implementation of the MSTF priorities, there is still room for improvement in enhancing the government planning processes to ensure delivery on all the commitments” said the Premier.
The Lekgotla resolved to promote the creation of social-economic opportunities for women and people with disabilities by removing all barriers that hinder these designated groups. Municipalities were implored to have units dedicated to the needs of women and people with disabilities and to ensure that internships and learnership programmes will be structured around these groups.
Planning of the identified projects is underway and implementation is due to begin early in the 2023/24 ¬financial year.
