Fix roads to realise EC potential

ECONOMIC Development Minister Ebrahim Patel says the Eastern Cape has great potential to create thousands more jobs – if the state invests more in the ocean economy and roads infrastructure.

The province has 12% of the country’s population, and contributes 9.1% of the country’s workforce, while 9.6% of its people are unemployed.

Making a presentation at the ANC’s lekgotla on Monday the minister singled out “Hole in the Wall”, a seaside resort located in Gqangushe village near Coffee Bay, which he said was a great tourist attraction but “difficult to access” due to poor road infrastructure.

Economic development, environmental affairs and tourism MEC Sakhumzi Somyo said with more than 800km of the South African coastline being part of the Eastern Cape, “it makes sense to do all we can to take advantage of the opportunities that come with the concept of oceans economy”.

The Phumulo Masualle-led provincial government had set a target back in 2014 to resurface and build 2 989km of roads during this term of office which ends in 2019.

Patel said this target had been surpassed mid-term. The figures show that 2 950km have in fact been resurfaced or built from scratch already.

Currently under construction is the N2 Libode interchange, the R61 near Ntlaza between Mthatha and Port St Johns, the R72 between Port Alfred and Fish River Sun as well as the R61 from Majola Tea estates to Tombo a few kilometres west of Port St Johns.

Patel said although the province had been the centre of the auto industry, car-making had grown in Gauteng, while the manufacturing as a share of provincial GDP fell from 17% in 1996 to 11% in 2014.

In contrast, Patel’s presentation confirmed “construction has doubled its share on the province’s GDP, as well as retail and accommodation industry has been growing”.

However, the ANC admitted there were delays in the construction of new schools.

The report shows that of the 428 schools supposed to be built either from scratch or renovated during Masualle’s term of office, only 122 have been built so far (43%).

These include Zibungu Senior Secondary in Nyandeni, which also has two libraries and two science laboratories as well as Bhekizulu Senior Secondary School in Libode.

But Patel raised concern about Mbuqe Primary School in Mthatha.

“It has 550 pupils and 12 classrooms. The school is in a poor state, with no functioning toilets, overcrowding and mud structures,” said Patel.

The community reported their plight in 1993, but nothing positive had happened.

“On September 6 2013 the presidential infrastructure coordinating committee requested the school be added to the department’s Asidi [acelerated schools infrastructure development initiative] list, but no construction has started,” said Patel.

“An implementing agent has been appointed. Minor surveying studies have occurred but no real progress has (taken place),” the report stated.

Somyo said Masualle would outline how these gaps would be addressed next Friday at his state of the province address. —