MAHIKENG MAIL - MAHIKENG: A R15 billion Urban Blue International Gas-to-Power Investment Project was handed over to the City of Matlosana on Tuesday by the Departmental MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Bitsa Lenkopane.
The project is expected to create 253 job opportunities for local women and youth in Matlosana Local Municipality.
The investment is estimated at R15 billion for ‘Phase 1’ for the construction of a Gas-to-Power Plant capable of producing 99MW of electricity. The company will sell the generated electricity to the government and local communities, and after 20 years, it will transfer ownership to the municipality. The City of Matlosana has availed 300 hectares of land for this project, which is set to reduce the impact of load shedding and stimulate economic activity in the region.
During the handover of the mega project in Matlosana the MEC also launched the BANKSETA Skills Development Programme, which will train local women and youth in credit-bearing skills development for new venture creation and introduce compliance monitoring field workers that will enhance the capacity of the municipality and assist the government with compliance issues in relation to businesses and environmental services.
100 Compliance Monitoring Field Workers were introduced, comprising of local youth who will be deployed to enhance the department and municipal capacity in enforcing business and environmental regulations.
The Matlosana Local Municipality was further given support on environmental services, which includes the implementation of circular economy for the establishment of industries and job creation to reduce poverty.
The department will encourage communities to practice the “3Rs” strategy - reduce, recycle and reuse - to limit the adverse impacts of waste on climate change; Business regulation support to ensure compliance by businesses with relevant legislations; Economic development support services; Tourism services - promotion and revitalisation of local tourism economy at municipal level; Awareness on other departmental related services; Establishment of One Stop Shop Centres (service centres) in support of government’s programme of action of taking services to the people.
The centre will enable communities to easily access services offered by DEDECT and other relevant agencies.
This multi-pronged initiative aligns with the department’s mandate to promote sustainable economic development, reduce unemployment, and create a stable and secure energy supply in the North West province.
