By More Matshediso
Pretoria – The North West and Limpopo are joining forces to construct and refurbish roads that link the provinces.
North West Acting Head of Communication, Bonolo Mohlakoana, said the two provinces have committed to jointly construct Mokgalwaneng road in Moses Kotane Local Municipality, and to enlarge the R510 road between Rustenburg and Thabazimbi, which straddles the two provinces.
She announced this after North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo and Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha had a meeting on Tuesday at Sun City.
She said that the Premiers acknowledged the need for the Rustenburg-Thabazimbi [Mokgalwane] road to be expanded, as “its narrow structure and high traffic volume are the main causes of increased accidents registered on that road”.
Mohlakoana said the Premiers made a commitment to make funds available for the construction of Mokgalwaneng road and getting support and options from national government.
“The two Premiers agreed on the development of a project plan, which will lead to the signing of a memorandum of agreement and the rolling out of the project,” she said.
The North West Premier said affected communities will be informed about the new developments.
“We owe it to the Mokgalwaneng communities and users of that 11-km road to get it constructed. This area was identified as the most deprived and relevant for piloting our province’s Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP),” Premier Mahumapelo said.
Mohlakoana said the two Premiers will also allow the North West MEC for Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development, Manketsi Tlhape, and Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC Jerry Ndou of Limpopo, to explore other areas of cooperation such as agriculture, environment, tourism, mining and health services.
Premier Mathabatha said his province is willing to work with the North West, and that forging relations with other provinces is a good strategy.
The meeting was attended by MECs of Public Works and Roads from the two Provinces, Jerry Ndou and Madoda Sambatha; MEC Manketsi Tlhape, Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development MEC Wendy Nelson; MEC Gaoage Molapisi of Community Safety and Transport Management, and Mayors from Moses Kotane and Thabazimbi Local Municipalities. - SAnews.gov.za
