MAHIKENG MAIL - MAHIKENG: North West Acting Premier, Nono Maloyi says the Provincial Government through the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, was coordinating extensive intervention efforts to assist municipalities in the province to implement renewable and alternative energy sources.
Acting Premier Maloyi announced this Tuesday, when delivering the 2024 State of the Province Address (SOPA) during the Official Opening of the North West Provincial Legislature. In an effort to end loadshedding, Acting Premier Maloyi said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed with the Chinese National Import and Export Corporation to construct R16 billion gas to electricity power stations at both the City of Matlosana and Moses Kotane Local Municipalities. “The first phase of this project will see the City of Matlosana Local Municipality producing 198 megawatts of electricity and construction is earmarked for a maximum of ninety days per one hundred megawatts”, Acting Premier told the Provincial Legislature.
He said these latest developments were part of the continuing efforts to ensure support and interventions in municipalities and will go a long way in resolving electricity supply challenges.
“Challenges facing municipalities include electricity supply challenges as a result of aging infrastructure faults, vandalism of transformers and load-shedding impact on infrastructure and water supply leading to a collapse in service provision.
With the new power stations we should resolve these problems” Acting Premier said.
He added that municipalities such as City of Matlosana and JB Marks were to insource road maintenance and pothole patching on an ongoing basis as a municipal function undertaken by municipal employees and that this initiative would be emulated in other municipalities across the province.
He added that on-going efforts to provide dedicated support to all municipalities to improve financial management through the implementation and monitoring of the Financial Recovery Plans (FRPs) had been put in place.
“The Executive Council has approved the appointment and deployment of Provincial Executive Representatives (PERs) to implement financial recovery plans for identified municipalities, under the joint coordination of Provincial Treasury and Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA),” Maloyi said.
He said progress had been registered by the intervention team deployed to the Ditsobotla Local Municipality however it is not significant enough to reverse the extent of the governance collapse in the municipal administration.
“The Ditsobotla Local Municipality requires constant and sustained support and intervention from Provincial Government before full recovery can be declared. EXCO has deployed a team of experts and other seconded officials to the municipality to assist with capacity we remaining hopeful that we will make the municipality to function better.”
Gender-based violence services spread across the province
The North West province will intensify the fight against the recurring gender-based violence (GBV) by funding 20 non-profit organisations to provide services in every local municipality. This was announced by Acting Premier Nono Maloyi who was delivering the State of the Province Address on Tuesday, 20 February at the North West Provincial Legislature.
In his address, Acting Premier Maloyi lamented the continuing violence of the vulnerable in the society.
“We are saddened that many women, girl children, the elderly and people with disabilities continue to face abuse in some of our communities”, said Maloyi adding that the province has through the Department of Social Development, set aside R17 million, “to fund NPOs to provide a basket of services to persons with disabilities.”
Maloyi revealed that 792 victims of gender-based violence and femicide have received sheltering services. “The department will continue to provide financial and professional support to the 19 victim empowerment centers, to ensure that the victims are provided with accommodation, basic counselling, court preparation, court intermediary and psychosocial support services”, said Maloyi.
The Department of Social Development will continue to work in partnership with other law enforcement agencies to ensure coordinated services to the victims of gender-based violence and that the perpetrators receive adequate sanctions.
On women empowerment, Maloyi said eight women-led cooperatives and individuals would benefit from R1, 4m which has been set aside for their upskilling and business growth. A further R4,5m has been set aside to support women cooperatives, and SMMEs to provide market access for their products and commodities.
