By Lucky Khumalo
East London – Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela says the provincial government will implement projects in the province in terms of the Accelerated Growth Initiative of South Africa, (ASGISA).
Balindlela was speaking at a “Jobz” Summit held on Wednesday, 17 February, which was attended by more that 5000 people including MECs, business, organised labour and non-governmental organisations.
The two-day summit was informed by the need to fight unemployment in the province. It is in line with the national Growth and Development Summit that took place in 2003.
The Premier said ASGISA was intended to accelerate economic growth and job creation through a variety of high impact projects given by public entities.
She highlighted a R28-billion Umzimvubu Water Project as one of the major projects that will culminate in “vast” employment opportunities within the province.
The project intends to capitalise on vast water resources in the area, through the construction of a dam and a hydropower facility.
Balindlela said one of the goals was to link the second economy to the first economy through a set of carefully considered measures.
“We want hundreds of thousands of emerging entrepreneurs and co-operatives to gradually stake their claim in the first economy,” she said.
Balindlela said the projects also related to massive expansion in the forestry and timber sector, given the available 150 000 hectares of high-yield land..
Furthermore, the Premier highlighted the importance of the Coega Development Cooperation and the East London Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) as contributors to the objectives of ASGISA.
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