Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba outlines provincial plans during the opening of the Limpopo 7th administration

When she officially opened the 7th Limpopo Legislature on Friday the 2nd of August in Polokwane, Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba outlined plans for the people of Limpopo in improving the lives of residents.

In resolving water problems, Dr Ramathuba has pronounced # HiNwaMatiFridays a water project programme that will be launched across the province to encourage municipalities to acquire their own borehole drilling equipment to expedite the acceleration of water provision in communities.

“We have not forgotten about several stagnant infrastructure projects across various sectors and departments. To this effect, we have directed the EXCO Infrastructure Cluster to do an audit of all unfinished infrastructure projects and develop action plans to bring them to practical completion”.

Through the audit, a coordination of water services and unlocking some bottleneck in areas like Sekhukhune, Mopani and Vhembe where bulk water infrastructure exists but deprived communities to enjoy the benefits will be attended to.

The 7th administration focus is monitoring and interventions to turn around provincial state affairs. Dr Ramathuba has directed the Director General to lead a technical team, comprising of Executive Mayors, Mayors and Municipal Managers; the Department of Water and Sanitation, and water boards to unlock all water related bottlenecks projects as a matter of extreme urgency and strengthen support to municipalities in distress to deliver water and other services.

The Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) had targeted to create over 22 000 but experienced some hurdles which delayed the realization. In ensuring that it comes to life, Dr Ramathuba has directed MEC for Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism to come up with a 6 months turnaround plan to implement the project.

While MMSEZ has experienced difficulties, the Fetakgomo-Tubatse Industrial Park (FTIP) The FTIP has developed a positive investment pipeline of 32 domestic and global companies worth R56 billion, with a potential to create 6 000 jobs in the first five years of operation and a further 20 000 jobs over 10 years. Nine of the 32 investors are already confirmed to take residence in the park in the next 12 months. These are projected to invest just over R10 billion.

Plans are at an advanced stage to establish Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) campus in Giyani. The Premier has announced that those who have illegally occupied and vandalized the identified Giyani College of Education and other government buildings should vacate with immediate effect, as the provincial government will soon launch operation vhuyisa thundu ya muvhuso. An operation to reclaim government buildings and utilize them to improve the lives of the people of Limpopo.

Premier Dr Ramathuba has promised to give an update of commitments and plans made during the opening of the Legislature when she delivers her first her State of The Province Address in 2025. EC