Focus on fast-tracking key infrastructure projects

The revitalisation of the

schemes will create employment and boost agricultural production in the Northern Cape

A DELEGATION from the Presidency’s Infrastructure and Investment Office will submit recommendations to fast track key infrastructure projects in the Northern Cape.

The delegation, led by the head of Infrastructure and Investment Office in the Presidency, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, visited the Northern Cape this week as part of a series of interventions to ensure the effective implementation of the country’s infrastructure build programme.

Ramokgopa stated that he, along with his team, had engaged with government stakeholders to identify bottlenecks and challenges involving infrastructure projects and to gauge progress in the Province.

“We aim to strengthen working relationships and collaboration between Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) and the provincial government and facilitate a co-ordinated infrastructure service delivery.”

He added that the projects visited included the Sol Plaatje University, Vaalharts-taung irrigation scheme and the Hull Street social housing project in Kimberley.

“Sol Plaatje University is part of infrastructure development in the higher education sector through the building of new universities, expanding existing universities and TVET colleges, expanding university towns and precincts and addressing the need for more student accommodation,” said Ramokgopa.

He stated that the Vaalharts-taung irrigation development was completed in the early 1930s and that it supplied water to about 300 000 people, including emerging farmers, land restitution developments and agro-industrial developments.

“It supports high-value horticultural crops, mainly pecan nuts. It stretches over 110 kilometres with more than 1 000 kilometres of water conveyance canals spanning across both the Northern

Cape and North West provinces. The ageing main and associated secondary infrastructure is in dire need of refurbishment in order to provide the required assurance levels and capacity for both potable and irrigated water requirements. The revitalisation of the schemes will create employment and boost agricultural production in the Northern Cape and the North West provinces.”

Ramokgopa indicated that construction at the Hull Street social housing project would begin in February next year.

“The development will result in the construction of 372 social housing units in Kimberley. The development consists of 112 primary units and the remaining 260 units consist of one- and two-bedroom units housed in three-storey blocks. The development aims to provide social housing opportunities in proximity to places of work and to generate employment opportunities.”

He added that due to the vastness of the Northern Cape, the team was not able to visit all infrastructure projects – such as the Boegebaai port and rail development, Square Kilometre Array and Meerkat, Port Nolloth and the Vaal-gamagara Regional bulk water supply scheme.

“The team will prepare an official report with recommendations on how to unblock and fast track infrastructure projects with dedicated teams to match the efforts. Each province will have a lead to liaise with the province and ensure commitments and deadlines are adhered to.”