Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle has announced that R2.2-billion worth of investments coming to the province in the next financial year will create thousands of jobs.
Delivering his state of the province address (Sopa) yesterday, Masualle mentioned, among the pipeline investments, the establishment of five aquaculture development zones (ADZs) at the East London Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), Coega IDZ, Qolorha and Hamburg.
The investments, Masualle said, would stimulate job creation through the province's investment promotion entities – the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), the East London IDZ and the Coega IDZ, and the PE port – and create over 24700 jobs.
“We are rising to the task of creating sustainable jobs for our people. A total of 24737 jobs, against a target of 13234 have been created through economic agencies such as ECDC, the East London IDZ and the Coega Development Corporation.
“We are targeting investments with the value of R2.23-billion in the two IDZs,” said Masualle. He said the department of rural development and agrarian reform (DRDAR) would drive the establishment of the five ADZs in the next financial year.
“Five aquaculture development zones (ADZs) were also identified in the province, namely Qolorha, East London IDZ, Hamburg, Coega IDZ and PE Port.
“Through the DRDAR, the province will expand the ADZs to cover fresh-water aquaculture to benefit our rural communities.
“The province will be opening the first maritime high schools at George Randall and Ngwenyathi in East London in 2016,” said Masualle.
The South African National Road Agency Limited (Sanral) would also inject R2.25-billion on maintenance and rehabilitation.
“Through Sanral, during 2015-16 financial year, will be implementing 33 projects totalling R2.25-billion.
“The scope of works includes periodic maintenance, special maintenance, strengthening and rehabilitation, as well as improvements and upgrades. “Key projects in this regard include the following roads: Grahamstown to Fish River Pass; Port Alfred to Fish River, Riet River to Tarka Bridge; Tsojana to Qumanco; Qumanco to Ngcobo and All Saints to Bhaziya.”
He said the Department of Energy had allocated R722.7-million to the Eastern Cape for 37550 Eskom connections while the province has set up a response team to deal with the impact of power outages.
“Municipalities have been allocated R284.7-million for 15554 connections. Furthermore, we intend to install 4355 solar connections in Mbhashe, 1180 in Ngcobo and 4000 in Matatiele.”
— siyam@dispatch.co.za / rayh@dispatch.co.za / zineg@dispatch.co.za / asandan@dispatch.co.za
R2.2bn investment boost for province
Delivering his state of the province address (Sopa) yesterday, Masualle mentioned, among the pipeline investments, the establishment of five aquaculture development zones (ADZs) at the East London Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), Coega IDZ, Qolorha and Hamburg.
The investments, Masualle said, would stimulate job creation through the province's investment promotion entities – the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), the East London IDZ and the Coega IDZ, and the PE port – and create over 24700 jobs.
“We are rising to the task of creating sustainable jobs for our people. A total of 24737 jobs, against a target of 13234 have been created through economic agencies such as ECDC, the East London IDZ and the Coega Development Corporation.
“We are targeting investments with the value of R2.23-billion in the two IDZs,” said Masualle. He said the department of rural development and agrarian reform (DRDAR) would drive the establishment of the five ADZs in the next financial year.
“Five aquaculture development zones (ADZs) were also identified in the province, namely Qolorha, East London IDZ, Hamburg, Coega IDZ and PE Port.
“Through the DRDAR, the province will expand the ADZs to cover fresh-water aquaculture to benefit our rural communities.
“The province will be opening the first maritime high schools at George Randall and Ngwenyathi in East London in 2016,” said Masualle.
The South African National Road Agency Limited (Sanral) would also inject R2.25-billion on maintenance and rehabilitation.
“Through Sanral, during 2015-16 financial year, will be implementing 33 projects totalling R2.25-billion.
“The scope of works includes periodic maintenance, special maintenance, strengthening and rehabilitation, as well as improvements and upgrades. “Key projects in this regard include the following roads: Grahamstown to Fish River Pass; Port Alfred to Fish River, Riet River to Tarka Bridge; Tsojana to Qumanco; Qumanco to Ngcobo and All Saints to Bhaziya.”
He said the Department of Energy had allocated R722.7-million to the Eastern Cape for 37550 Eskom connections while the province has set up a response team to deal with the impact of power outages.
“Municipalities have been allocated R284.7-million for 15554 connections. Furthermore, we intend to install 4355 solar connections in Mbhashe, 1180 in Ngcobo and 4000 in Matatiele.”
— siyam@dispatch.co.za / rayh@dispatch.co.za / zineg@dispatch.co.za / asandan@dispatch.co.za
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