Limpopo EXCO vows to uplift SEZs to improve the provincial economy
Fetakgomo-Tubatse
Limpopo Executive Council (EXCO), has resolved to improve Fetakgomo Tubatse and Musina Special Economic Zones (SEZ) to bolster the province’s economy.
The resolution was taken during Limpopo EXCO ordinary meeting held in Polokwane on Tuesday 22 August.
Ndavhe Ramakuela, Limpopo Provincial Government Spokesperson, said the Executive Council received the report on the state of readiness of the Fetakgomo-Tubatse Special Economic Zone in Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM).
“The EXCO directed the economic cluster to finalise the outstanding information with the intention to finally submit application for designation of the SEZ to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) by the end of September 2023,” he said.
Ramakuela said in addition, the EXCO noted a report on progress regarding the Musina-Makhado SEZ in Vhembe District Municipality (VDM).
“The EXCO further directed the economic cluster to resolve the outstanding matters with regard to the south side as speedily as possible,” he said.
Ramakuela indicated that infrastructure development was also on the spotlight during the meeting with the Executive Council noting progress regarding the substance of infrastructure delivery in Limpopo.
“It appreciated the fact that the implementation agility in Limpopo has improved drastically with budget allocated to 80% of projects that are already at implementation stage and the expenditure at the end of the first quarter of 2023/24 financial year standing at 26%,” explained Ramakuela.
He said the Executive Council has also appreciated the monitoring mechanisms that have been put in place, including the tracking instruments that would ensure that all projects implemented by departments and other agencies assisting the departments, are completed as per schedule and budget.
Ramakuela informed that the EXCO further directed that the infrastructure cluster should identify all the incomplete long-term infrastructure projects that were initiated during the current term of administration and are still not complete.
“It asked that the cluster develops mechanisms to ensure that these projects are completed by the end of the current term of administration. It is against this background that EXCO further recommended that municipalities, particularly Polokwane, Sekhukhune, Vhembe and Mopani District Municipalities, should vigorously improve on spending of Municipal Infrastructure Grant, mainly on provisioning of water,” he said.
Ramakuela said the EXCO has noted the report on delay of payment of service providers which is against the prescribed Treasury regulations of 30 days.
“EXCO considers this activity as critical to stimulate the economy and also ensure support to SMMEs. Accordingly, EXCO approved a report that the province has been consistent in paying service providers within 30 days period. The invoices paid in the first quarter of the 2023/24 financial year were at 99, 5%, which totalling to R3, 6 Billion,” he said.
Ramakuela said the EXCO also received a report on the overall support to cooperatives and SMMES by the economic cluster.
“The cluster was directed to develop an appropriate intervention plan to upscale the required support,” he said.
During the sitting, Limpopo Premier, Chupu Stanley Mathabatha said: “As Limpopo we appreciate the latest results from Statistics South Africa that Limpopo has experienced the largest employment increase in the country of 80 000 in the Quarter 2 Labour Force Survey released recently. This is a great improvement and show of effort that government is putting to fight unemployment,” he said.
Mathabatha added that equally, while they applaud the provincial government for the vast improvement regarding infrastructure expenditure and overall stability, they mandate that stability must be translated into service delivery.
“We call upon our municipalities which are water services providers and authorities to upscale all efforts in the provisioning of water to our communities,” he said.
