Bhisho - Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet has outlined the priorities she will focus on, during her term in office.
Her attention during her term in the next five years on alleviating the plight of the poor in the province, providing quality health services, improving access to quality education, improving the livelihoods of rural communities, providing more opportunities for decent work and eliminating the scourge of crime.
Delivering her maiden State of the Province Address in Bhisho on Friday, Premier Kiviet said this would be done through a collaborative effort with various stakeholders.
"We have heard the message of our people loud and clear, and we dare not disappoint them," she said.
The Premier said her first priority was to speed up growth and the transformation of the economy to create decent work and sustainable livelihoods.
"In this area, the government seeks to grow the economy and to ensure equitable distribution of the benefits of such economic growth and quality job opportunities for the people, said Ms Kiviet.
She added that by working with relevant social partners, they would work on diversifying the economy of the province.
"We are paying urgent attention to the finalization and immediate implementation of the Provincial Industrial Development Strategy. This strategy outlines our deliberate efforts at altering the structure and distribution of industrial activity to promote economic growth."
She said their second strategic priority was a major programme to expand infrastructure build and create jobs.
"Focus will be placed on the provision of provincial transport and logistics infrastructure.This will include the expansion of the road construction programme.
"The construction of rural access roads in the province will be especially fast-tracked and due consideration will be given to innovative alternative surfacing," Ms Kiviet said.
She also announced their vision for rural areas guided by a Rural Development Strategy, which will be taken for consultation with relevant stakeholders before finalization by end of June.
The strategy seeks to unleash the socio-economic development potential of the Eastern Cape, by addressing decisively the historical neglect of rural areas; to reverse the legacy of inequitable access to basic services; to reverse spatial imbalances which have continued to dog the economy; to improve the coordination and integration of service delivery across government, and to foster sustainable partnerships.
"We will pay particular attention to ensuring long-term sustainability of food security," she said.
