Plans for the Special Economic Zone in Komatipoort well underway
Within the next year, residents of Komatipoort will see the start of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) development as work on infrastructure like a new intersection and water and sewerage plants start.
KOMATIPOORT – Within the next year, residents should see the start of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) development in town.
The township, designated Komatipoort Extension 20, is expected to be approved soon and several of the conditions of establishment will need to be fulfilled.
This includes a new intersection at the Sasol filling station and the installation of infrastructure such as roads, water and sewerage. The SEZ will be serviced by its own water and sewerage plants.
READ: Nkomazi’s economy to grow thanks to multi-billion Rand SEZ
Gerhardus Botha of GAP Development Planners, who were appointed to the project, addressed local businesses people on progress on the SEZ during last week’s combined business chamber meeting at Red Falcon SPUR.
He explained that the SEZ’s development is being pushed by the president, as well as the Department of Trade and Industry and the Mpumalanga Economic Development Agency (MEGA).
The 300-hectare development will be done in phases over 15 to 20 years.
Besides various types of industrial sites focusing on agricultural processing, a settlement with 10 000 housing structures, community and health service and schools are also slated to be developed.
According to Botha, the biggest inconvenience to residents during the first phase of the project will be the construction of the intersection on the N4.
The development is expected to have a huge positive impact on Komatipoort and Nkomazi in general through the creation of direct and indirect jobs.
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Hendrikus Swart of Hamatino Consulting Engineers also spoke about the various interchanges that could possibly be constructed in Nkomazi over the next few years.
The project to construct the interchange at Karino is already in progress and could be completed within the next two years.
Other propsed projects include widening the N4 from the bridge before the Gorge to near Kaalrug and interchanges at Matsulu and Kaapmuiden.
The Malalane bypass, which is designed to completely bypass town, has been a worry for residents for some years. This is still just a proposal and experts expect it will not be constructed for several more years.
A bypass has also been designed for Hectorspruit, if increased traffic volumes prove it necessary.
READ: More roadworks planned for N4 this year
Swart explained that each municipality is expected to have a roads master plan which includes proposals such as the aforementioned and that the Nkomazi Local Municipality does have one.
The next business chamber meeting will be held at Kambaku Gholf Club in Komatipoort on June 27 at 12:00. The topic will be mining in Nkomazi and speakers Robert Davel of Mpumalanga Agriculture, Wehncke van der Merwe (Kruger National Park bufferzone coordinator) and Ms Nancy O’Farrell of the Crocodile River Irrigation Board, will discuss their organisations’ points of view on the matter.
READ: Residents determined to stop mining near Marloth Park
All interested parties are invited to attend and can RSVP by contacting the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism on 013-755-1988 or tourism@klcbt.co.za.
