Gauteng Provincial Government has announced various multi-million rand projects that are aimed at improving the economy of the West Rand.
Gauteng MEC for Finance, Barbara Creecy accompanied by Mogale City Executive Mayor Councillor, Koketso Calvin Seerane said Mogale City is set to benefit economically through the five development corridors during a Community Imbizo at Kagiso Community Hall.
Condensing Premier David Makhura’s State of The Province Address, Creecy urged the community to understand the ten-pillars which constitute the core mandate of the fifth administration.
The ten-pillar programme of radical transformation modernisation and re-industrialisation of Gauteng include: Radical economic transformation, decisive spatial transformation, accelerated social transformation and transformation of the state and governance; amongst others.
“We want our people to understand how government works, hence it is important that our communities understand Gauteng’s ten-pillar programme,” Creecy said.
She said Mogale City, which forms part of the Western Corridor, will see improvements in the agri-business and agro-processing industries which are aimed at stimulating growth.
“We want to modernise the way government works and does business with our people; more so in human settlements and public transport in order for Gauteng to be on par with the outside world.”
Freight and logistic projects will increase packaging and processing of agricultural goods. A total of 6 000 jobs will be created over three years through the upscaling of aquaculture potential, in particular, the breeding of prawns.
Lanseria Airport and Maropeng World Heritage Site will remain main anchors of the west rand economy and the envisaged West Rand Metropolitan City. Creecy said R7 billion has been set aside for solar projects which will yield more than 15 000 jobs.
R500-million in capital expenditure will be used for the development of Lanseria Airport, with over R10 billion expected to be invested in the airport over the next 15 years.
Councillor Seerane accompanied by Members of the Mayoral Committee and councillors applauded MEC’s visit and said: “We are pleased to have the MEC in our city immediately after the State of The Province Address; this indicates that the provincial government has the interest of our city at heart.
“The visit by the MEC is a build up to the State of The City Address and we urge our communities to inform us of their needs before the address so that we can incorporate them into our budget.”