Remarks by President Jacob Zuma on the occasion of launching infrastructure projects in Umthatha, Eastern Cape

MEC Phumulo Masualle, representing Premier Noxolo Kiviet,

Energy Minister, Mr Ben Martins,

COGTA Minister, Mr Lechesa Tsenoli,

Minister of Transport, Ms Dipuo Peters,

Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Ms ZoeKota,

MECs, Mayor of King Sabata Dalindyebo, CllrNonkoliso Ngqongwa,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Molweni!

 

Weare truly happy to visit Mthatha, and King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality ingeneral, to inspect progress made in the implementation of development projectshere and to officially open some projects.

 

In2010 I visited this area and was disappointed by the condition ofinfrastructure in KSD and the fact that Umthatha and surroundings appeared tobe in a state of collapse.

Weestablished the King Sabata Dalindyebo Presidential Revitalisation Programmeand identified work that needed to be done to revive Umthatha and surroundings.

 

Todaywe are back to officially open some of the projects and inspect progress. A lothas been achieved and work is also still continuing to develop and revitalizeKSD Municipality further.

Todaywe came to inspect and officially launch infrastructure projects related towater, electricity, roads and transport.

 

Weare happy to have reached that phase of welcoming positive developments in thisregard.

Oneof the projects launched today is the provision of electricity.

 

Governmenthas prioritised electricity provision in the least electrified provinces ofKwaZulu- Natal, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, focusing specifically on the buildingof network capacity in these provinces to support additional connections. 

 

We have invested millions of rand in KingSabata Dalindyebo to revitalize the town and settlements.

 Over the last two years a total amount of 251million rand was spent in the King Sabata Dalindyebo  municipal area for  network upgrading and strengthening ofnetworks to ensure better quality of supply.

 

Thebulk energy infrastructure for Mthatha city was upgraded at a cost of R39,8million and 110 jobs were created. 

 Theupgrade of two major electricity sub-stations were also initiated.  Thornhill substation was upgraded at a costof R40 million and Sidwadwa substation at R5.8 million and 45 jobs werecreated. Thornhill has been completed and it is my pleasure to declare it opentoday.

 

Close to 3 000 new connections have been madein the last two years, and this specific project created 125 jobs.

 

As you know our countryis working hard to build our power supply capacity. We are currentlybuilding three new power stations – Medupi in Limpopo, Kusile in Mpumalanga andNgula in Ladysmith.

Weare also returning to service four old power stations.

 

Your role is important in saving electricitywhich is a very scarce resource. Also assist us by reporting people who connectelectricity illegally.

Wehave today also inspected progress in the provision of transportinfrastructure.

 

Government hasspent R490 million in upgrading Umthatha airport to improve its capacity.  A new runway has been constructed and theairport will be able to receive larger aircraft which will unlock the economicpotential of the region.

 

Improvementsalso include a new helipad ramp with lights and approach lights for emergency and medicallanding, a new road linking the temporary terminal building and the hangars andthe refurbishment of hangars.

 

Governmenthas decided to upgrade the terminal building in order to encourage moreairlines and more passengers to use this airport and to improve theaccessibility for tourists to the area.

Atenderfor R200 million has been put out for the upgrading the new terminal building.

 

The improvements tobe done also include a new car hire facility with a separate parking area andwash bay for car hire, a new security fence around the whole airport withparallel security road with lighting, heightening the control tower, landscapingaround the new terminal building and the renovation of existing cargo building.

Ourinfrastructure programme is thus continuing and growing.

 

We are also happy withprogress at the water treatment plant where two reservoirs are being built,including a filter, to increase the current capacity from 60 million litres aday to 80 million. 

 

Today we have also visited and officially opened Mthatha Bridge whichhas been expanded at the cost of R108 million. This bridge will reduce thetravelling time to town and ease congestion.

 

Ladies and gentlemen

 

As you are aware, work is continuing to improve the infrastructure andthe living conditions in Mthatha.

We are also looking at improving housing but are constrained by the landissue which has not been resolved yet.

 

Today’s programme demonstrates government’s seriousness in extendingservices that improve lives.

 

A lot has been achieved already in 19 years and much more is still beingdone.

 

We urge you as residents to work with us as government to continueexpanding services. We know that at times government does not move as fast as citizens want it to, but we urge youto be patient.

 

We will never rest for as long as there are people without food,shelter, good roads, electricity, water, sanitation, housing and many otherservices.

We will keep working harder to ensure that ultimately, households in allparts of the country obtain basic services.

 

That is our commitment to you as the people of KSD and indeed to allSouth Africans.

 

I thank you.