The North West Provincial Government has allocated R24 million to establish a Development Fund to accelerate development initiatives across the province.
The fund will be established with a special focus on stimulating economic growth and creating sustainable job opportunities.
This is according to the North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi who delivered his State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the provincial legislature on Thursday.
He informed the Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) that the efforts of the Economic and Investment Advisory Council are starting to produce positive results.
The Council is responsible for assisting the province to drive its industrialisation programme, lure investments, and see to the full implementation of the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy.
“We envisage establishing a Regional Research, Innovation and Development Office, which will be in, and coordinated by, the Office of the Premier with a specific focus on Science, Technology and Engineering,” he said on Thursday.
The SOPA outlined the province’s strategic priorities for the next five years, focusing on inclusive growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and building a capable and ethical State.
Mokgosi highlighted the province’s challenges, including high unemployment and poverty rates, and emphasised the need for aggressive measures to address these issues.
He announced several initiatives, such as the expansion of the National School Nutrition Programme to provide two meals per day to learners in more schools and the launch of the “Ntime o Mphele Ngwana Poverty Alleviation Programme” to combat hunger among children and youth.
In addition, infrastructure development was a key focus, with significant investments in road projects, water and sanitation improvements, and the construction of new schools and clinics.
The Premier also announced plans to revitalise the Taung irrigation scheme and other agricultural projects to boost food production and support emerging farmers.
“The collaborative work between the Vaalharts Water Users Association, the Department of Water and Sanitation, and the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality will result in an increase of water supply to households in areas such as Taung, Pudimoe, and Huhudi.”
Jobs and attracting investment
Mokgosi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating job opportunities through public employment programs, such as expanded public works, community health workers, community works, and labour activation programmes.
These initiatives aim to create over 150 000 job opportunities in the next five years, targeting women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
The provincial government is fostering relations with the private sector to address infrastructure backlogs and attract investment.
The Premier cited the Mekgareng Smart City project, which is expected to create 20 000 jobs for the people of Madibeng Local Municipality and attract investments of between R10 and R25 billion.
The smart city project is a collaborative development initiative between the North West and Gauteng, coordinated by the national Department of Human Settlements.
Meanwhile, the provincial government has partnered with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and Phila Jordan Academy to provide training opportunities to 3 000 beneficiaries in artisanal and tooling programs.
In addition, more than 1 200 young people are participating in a National Youth Service programme, and over 7 000 youth have been provided with skills and job placements.
The Premier hopes that these comprehensive measures will help reduce unemployment and stimulate economic growth in the North West.
In addition, he covered efforts to promote clean governance, combat corruption, and improve audit outcomes.
He concluded with a call for unity and collaboration among all stakeholders to tackle the province’s socioeconomic challenges and build a better future for all residents.
“Ours is a skewed past centered on exploitation, exclusion, and oppression but we remain hopeful about the socio-economic prospects of our province, and we are unflinching on our commitment to creating a better life of all, irrespective of race, class, and gender or creed,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
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