BuaNews (Tshwane)
Thapelo Sakoana
20 June 2005
Mafikeng — North West MEC for Transport and Roads Jerry Thibedi has announced plans by the department to put infrastructure in the capital city in ensuring viability to key economic points and development at previously neglected areas.
Addressing members of the North West Press Club here yesterday, he said this included infrastructural development initiatives in and around the Mafikeng Airport in preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, among others.
"As we approach 2010, there will be activities which in our view, necessitate that we improve the status of the [Mafikeng] airport," he said.
The airport is currently awaiting a license that would grant it international status, which would also help it to facilitate international trade [imports and exports].
Mr Thibedi said they were now increasing infrastructure in and around Mafikeng as economic activities were increasing in the area.
This, he said, would help in increasing flight population at the airport.
The province also has the Pilanesburg International Airport [PIA], which received the global license at the expense of Mafikeng airport.
Premier Edna Molewa said the PIA was prioritised because it was located in the area whose economy was growing steadily.
Mr Thibedi said they would soon also expand and improve the Nelson Mandela road, which leads to the Ramatlabama border gate that separates South Africa and Botswana.
He said the road would allow people from Botswana a viable way to the mall currently under construction here, which is also set to increase more economic activities in the city.
The mall and other facilities in the city, Mr Thibedi said, would also give various options for tourists to use the airport.
After extensive consultations with the community of Suiwerskuil in Bojanala District, Mr Thibedi said his department would soon be tarring a road in the area.
He said about seven kilometers of the road was in the jurisdiction of the Limpopo Province and would engage relevant authorities there to ensure that their part is also attended to.
"This I will do to ensure that all our people, from both provinces, benefit from this infrastructure that government wants to bring to them," he said.
Mr Thibedi said they would also be improving rural roads in Mabopane and Moretele areas.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2005 BuaNews. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
