Change afoot for rural towns

The Office of the Premier has set aside almost R500m for small town revitalisation projects between 2017 and 2020.

The provincial government will spend R485m in developing small and rural towns in the Eastern Cape.

Of the total amount, R10m was used for planning in the 2016-17 financial year, R96.9m was used on implementing projects in selected towns like Port Alfred, Kirkwood, Flagstaff, Lusikisiki, Willowmore, Ngqeleni and Libode.

In the current 2018-19 financial year, R207m will be used to continue with the implementation of the projects in eight towns while four new projects will get off the ground.

Then in the 2019-20, R170m has been budgeted to complete the projects, while two new projects will also be started in two other towns.

Premier Phumulo Masualle, who has championed the small town revitalisation programme said they had a stringent selection criteria when they chose which towns will receive funding.

He said these were:

The recognition of previous and current efforts of local authorities;

Economic development potential and future impact;

Land availability and superfluous state buildings;

Tourism potential; Transport linkages; Geographical spread; and Knowledge of economy potential.

Masualle said: “During the fifth term of administration, the provincial government agreed that there was a need to reposition the small town revitalisation programme in response to the current challenges in the province.”