BY REGINALD KANYANE

LOCAL and human settlements department in North West, MEC Galaletsang Fenny Gaolaolwe said they will continue to restore hope to the desperate and needy community across North West. Gaolaolwe handed over 150 toilets to Lower Majakgoro village, near Taung on Saturday.

“We handed over 150 toilets to our community. The department of local government and human settlements will make sure all projects are monitored from now on. We have experienced a backlog on some of our projects. However we will do what it takes to make sure they reach its completion.

“The department seeks to restore hope to the desperate and needy communities. We will continue to bring basic services to them. We will also develop the communities to a point of self-reliance through the provision of learnerships and training initiatives,” Gaolaolwe said.

She said the project created job opportunities to locals. Gaolaolwe said changing the lives of the masses was imperative.

“North West province is predominantly rural areas. However with Premier Supra Mahumapelo’s vision we can free our people from abject poverty. As the department, we will make sure the situation changes for the better,” Gaolaolwe said.

North West premier Supra Mahumapelo said they will implement village development plan strategy. He said the assessment and interaction will be completed in July.

“We have come up with a plan to make sure we change the situation in many rural areas. As the part of rebranding, reposition and renewal process, we drafted village development plan. We want to have each and every village (VDP). That will help us to prioritise the needs according to the village.

“We will continue to work together with all departments to make sure we reach our mark. We have dedicated 60% of provincial government budget to rural areas. We also want to eradicate poverty and inequality. By developing locals, we will reduce unemployment and that will boost economy of the province,” Mahumapelo said.

Deputy Minister for education, Enver Surty said the ANC-led government aimed at developing the youth. He said the government will continue to invest in the community projects.

“We will continue to inspire changes by empowering the youth. We also want to ensure sustainability for each of our projects. The government will continue to work together with other local companies and organizations. We will use a holistic approach and offer the best possible basic service to the people,” he said.

Greater Taung local municipality mayor, Kaone Lobelo said: “The people will continue to receive basic services like electricity, water and sanitation. We also aim at supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs. We want our young people to be employers than employees. Even though Taung is surrounded by rural areas, we will have ways to try and develop the area to be more viable.”

-TDN

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