Mpumalanga to create 390 000 work opportunities by 2019

Friday, June 27, 2014

Pretoria – The Mpumalanga provincial government is expected to create 390 000 additional and sustainable work opportunities by 2019, says Premier David Mabuza.

“Over the next five years, we will target economic growth that is above 5% per annum and such economic growth will be expected to create approximately 390 000 additional and sustainable work opportunities by 2019,” he said during his State of the Province Address, on Friday.

“This means that a total of 78 000 work opportunities must be created per annum,” he said, adding that it will be guided by the National Development Plan (NDP), which provides a detailed roadmap for development in the years leading up to 2030.

It will also be steered by the Mpumalanga Vision 2030 Strategic Implementation Framework, which provides a provincial expression of the key priorities, objectives and targets enumerated in the NDP.

“We will further be informed and guided by the Mpumalanga Economic Growth and Development Path which aims to place our economy on a sustainable growth trajectory.

“It is a phase during which our provincial economy must grow above 5% annually if we are to make a positive impact on the lives of the 30.4% of our population that remains without work. 78.3% of this unemployed cohort comprises our youth,” he said.

Premier Mabuza said they will continue to prioritise agriculture and forestry; mining; manufacturing; tourism and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Infrastructure development

The Premier said his provincial government will increase investment in the Infrastructure Build Programme to R18.5 billion in order to create substantial employment.

According to Premier Mabuza, more money will be spent on improving hospitals, clinics, education, logistics and economic infrastructure.

He further said they will also prioritise strategic economic infrastructure to support development and service delivery.

This involves:

  • The construction of dams to increase bulk water supply and support agriculture;
  • Investing in irrigation infrastructure;
  • Addressing bulk water and sanitation infrastructure, particularly to deal with overflowing sewer systems;
  • Dealing with the road infrastructure network, particularly those areas affected with high volumes of trucks;
  • Investing in broadband infrastructure to enhance connectivity; and
  • Prioritising the improvement and expansion of the road network in strategic towns that have shown rapid growth recently, namely, Mbombela, Emalahleni, Ermelo, Middleburg, Mashishing and Secunda.

He said the provincial government will also be prioritising strategic infrastructure projects to support key economic sectors such as the establishment of an International Convention Centre (ICC); a Cultural Hub; ICT Call Centre; Fresh Produce Market; Sports Training Centre and the Moloto Rail Corridor Development. - SAnews.gov.za