By TDN

The Mahikeng Airport City Project approved by the North West Executive

Council (Exco) will pave way for a number of projects that are expected to

create jobs and improve the economy, the North West Provincial Government

said in a statement issued on Thursday.

According to this endorsement, Mahikeng International Airport (MIA) will be

repositioned as an Airport City while the erstwhile Mahikeng Industrial Development Zone (MIDZ) will be designated as a special economic zone. To

give effect to the resolution, the MIDZ Land Use Plan and Mahikeng Town

Plan are to be reviewed.

The establishment of the Executive Council Project Steering Committee

constituted by the Executive Council, Mahikeng and Ngaka Modiri Molema

District Mayors and representatives of Barolong Boo Ratshidi Tribal Council

was also approved by Exco.

“Projects to be implemented to boost the local economy and job creation include concrete tile and roof sheet manufacturing, fuel farm, solar manufacturing, maize processing and business process outsourcing services” Premier spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said.

The process towards development of the freight hub at the airport has already started with the development of an Air, Road and Rail Transport Strategy and upgrading of the airport.

“The upgrade towards a category 9 is intended at bringing it to strict compliance to South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and International Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations so that it can achieve a category 6/7 safety status” Kgwele said.

Meanwhile, Exco will in the near future convene a workshop with key industry and government stakeholders on the repositioning of Mahikeng towards an Airport city.-TDN

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