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MPUMALANGA 2008 STATE OF THE PROVINCE PREVIEW
Mpumalanga Premier Thabang Makwetla will officially open the sitting of the Mpumalanga Legislature when he delivers the State of the Province address tomorrow (22/02/2008) at the provincial government complex in Nelspruit.
The State of the Province Address is a broad policy directive for the financial year ahead. It will accord the Premier a platform to present the provincial government's vision, plans and strategies of taking service delivery to the next level. This relates to interventions and plans aimed at growing the regional economy so that it opens opportunities for the people to earn livelihoods whilst also improving the quality of life. The speech will give a glance on achievements attained, challenges encountered, and progress underway and plans for the year ahead.
Among other key milestones, the Premier is expected to provide progress feedback on the implementation of the “big 5' flagship projects.
- Maputo corridor
- Moloto Rail Development Corridor
- Accelerated Capacity building for managers
- Water for All
- Heritage, Greening MP and tourism
The above flagship projects, commonly referred to as “the big 5”, were announced by the Premier last year in his 2007 SOPA. He mentioned them as key focus areas to grow our regional economy and advancing the objectives of the provincial growth and development strategy.
The Premier will announce key strategies on how to fuse the economic growth with job creation. This includes substantial investments on our roads infrastructure, highlighting investment opportunities in our key growth sectors, particularly in mining, tourism, agroprocessing and cultural industries.
Strategies on activating the rural economy in order to increase its capacity to create jobs, give support to farmers and address basic food security will be unveiled. Increased investments through Comprehensive Agricultural Support Program and provincial high impact projects targeting households, known as ‘Masibuyele Emasimini”, are expected to get a major boost.
Job creation and youth employment targets under the Expanded Public Works Program and the National Youth Service will form part of issues to be raised in skills development and increasing work opportunities.
On 2010,preparations and progress, including other investments, made with regard to supporting Mbombela to host a successful event will form part of the speech. More importantly, interventions aimed at addressing administrative and governance challenges at the municipality will be announced.
Other areas will include the promotion of culture and heritage, social cohesion, HIV/AIDS resource allocation and school infrastructure developments.
DATE : 22 February 2008
TIME: 08h30am
VENUE: Building 10-Mpumalnga Government Complex
Issued by :
Ntime Skhosana
Premier's Spokesperson
+27 824966578
+27 137662055
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