Visit reaffirms investment in infrastructure is catalyst in economic development

The Provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, and the executive management of the Department visited the West Coast district concluding the first leg of the Ministerial District Municipality Outreach Program. 

The visit to West Coast began on Sunday in Lutzville with a scheduled meeting in response to the community’s request. Following correspondence with the community, Minister Simmers prioritized visiting the area and addressing the community’s concerns over the housing database waiting list and other project related issues. 
 
However, nearly an hour into the meeting, an unruly group of people disrupted the meeting. Disappointed with these individual’s behavior Minister Simmers said: “It is rather unfortunate that an unruly few individuals and community leaders continue to disrupt the meeting and consequently disempowered their fellow residents who were engaging with government to bring further information and solutions to the challenges that they face.  Many residents had written to my office and were looking forward to receiving further information from the department such as human settlements subsidies and more.” 

On Monday, the Minister and his executives engaged the West Coast District Municipality Mayoral Committee members. The department presented the region’s infrastructure investment for the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). An overall budget of R2.25 billion has been set aside for the West Coast District Municipality. In total, 96 multi-year projects across all its branches are either underway or planned by the department. 
 
Following this engagement, the Minister visited two of the fast-tracked projects. The first the repairs to the R303 in Citrusdal, a road that was reopened to traffic within 10 days after being washed away by recent flooding. The last project visit of the day was the Middelpos Primary School which has seen significant advancements from his previous visit and will accommodate over 1800 learners.  
 
The final day of the Minister’s outreach highlighted that investment in infrastructure to be a catalyst for economic development in the region. Minister Simmers officially launched the Saldanha Bay IDZ road. Construction at the R24 million budgeted project commenced in September 2022. The early completion of the project further highlights the department’s capabilities of expedient service delivery.  
 
Excitingly, on the same day when the department was celebrating the official launch of the IDZ’s road, a sod turning ceremony was held to initiate the start of construction of the Malmesbury Bypass. Budgeted against R529 million, the project is earmarked to create nearly 220 job opportunities and 37 small, medium, and micro enterprises opportunities. The 7km road project is set to be completed at the end of 2025. 

Reflecting on the 3 days visit Minister Simmers said: “I am satisfied with the outcomes of our visit. We visited components of all our branches and witnessed the infrastructure eco-system, where on one end we celebrated the completion of one project whilst officiating the commencement of another. Over the next three years, a multitude of job and economic opportunities will be created as a result of the investment in infrastructure. In so doing hope and dignity of many in this region will be restored.” 
“Infrastructure projects in the region have been implemented within budget and ahead of schedule. This can be attributed to the excellent partnerships between the spheres of government and the private sector. Cross-sector collaborations play a critical role as we grow the economy of the Western Cape” added Minister Simmers.