Eastern Cape Premier, Noxolo Kiviet’s State of the Province Address has highlighted infrastructure development as a primary focus for provincial government over the next few years. If preferential procurement of local contractors to undertake this work is going to be the norm, this could mean a substantial boost for the provincial economy in terms of investment into new venture creation, employment opportunities, local, regional and provincial growth.
In addition to this, this investment in provincial infrastructure could kick-start the much-needed provincial economic expansion and diversification away from its current reliance on the automotive sector.
Established, emerging and new businesses
– in a variety of sectors including construction, engineering, agriculture, transport, logistics and renewable energy - could be set to benefit from these projects. However, the key to the success of these initiatives will be the speed with which both national and provincial government can navigate through the maze of red-tape and bureaucracy to plan, fund, initiate and execute these projects in the Eastern Cape.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND RELATED PROJECTS THAT WILL BE “COMING ON-LINE” INCLUDE:
• The development of the Umzimvubu catchment area (as highlighted in the President’s State of the Nation address)
• Seawater desalination in the Port Elizabeth and Port Alfred areas
• Rehabilitation of provincial agricultural irrigation schemes
• The development of a South Eastern node to improve industrial and agricultural development between the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng,Port of Ngqura, Noxolo,
• The positioning of the Port of Ngqura as a trans-shipment hub
• The upgrading of rail infrastructure between Ngqura and Gauteng and between East London and Mthatha
• An investment by Eskom of R10 billion in energy infrastructure in the province.
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