Kiviet: ‘Infrastructure on track’ but mum on overcrowded school

The Eastern Cape was on track in implementing its infrastructure development projects, Premier Noxolo Kiviet said in her fifth state of the province address.

In her address, delivered in Bhisho yesterday, Kiviet singled out the Ngqura Transhipment Hub project in Port Elizabeth, which has seen R3.49 billion spent on basic port infrastructure, while an additional R15 billion was committed by Transnet to make the port operational.

The East London harbour was being upgraded at a cost of R2.3 billion.

The Mthatha Airport, with a budget allocation of R465 million, was expected to be finished between March and April. The runway at the airport is 70% complete, which will make it possible for big aircraft to land in Mthatha.

Mthatha Bridge was also nearing completion, with 78% of the work done.

Feasibility studies were completed for the Umzimvubu Multi-Purpose Water Resource Development and for the N2 Wild Coast road. Kiviet said the projects would create thousands of jobs and boost the economy of the province.

What Kiviet didn’t say
1. How government would address overcrowding in Eastern Cape schools. She also didn’t say what government was planning to do about excess teachers who refuse to move to schools where they are needed.

2. How government planned to address corruption in its ranks or what action would be taken against public servants doing business with the state.

3. Kiviet did not say what action government was putting in place to address service delivery protests in Sterkspruit.