Bay earmarked as energy creation hub
Port of Richards Bay and the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone in process of becoming an energy generation platform.
RICHARDS Bay has been earmarked as a provincial hub for energy generation.
Delivering the state of the province address on Friday, KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu said focus has been placed on increasing energy generation by means of developing new sources.
‘Government has set itself ambitious targets that include resolving the energy crises and enhancing the energy mix.’ Mchunu said.
‘We aim to ensure that the Port of Richards Bay and the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone are developed as a logistics platform for both oil and gas so that we are able to provide a more cost effective option for energy generation than the current diesel plants used by Eskom.’
Mchunu said the implementation of programmes to accelerate the socio-economic development of the province was a priority and provincial government intend to consolidate the progress they have made and ‘step up the pace to achieve radical socio-economic transformation and end poverty in society’.
‘The eradication of poverty and inequality is not just a social matter, but a matter that requires a comprehensive and holistic approach from all sectors.’ Mchunu said.
‘We have developed a Poverty Eradication Master Plan (PEMP) which was approved by the Provincial Executive Council in December.
‘PEMP comprises five key strategies that include social security and housing where the focus is on improving child health outcomes, improving access to quality education and uplifting living standards.
‘The plan also focuses on agriculture to ensure household food security, linking mechanisation to entrepreneurship, commercialisation of livestock on communal land; revitalisation of land reform farms, promotion of agriculture cooperatives and agribusiness youth empowerment.
‘The enhancement of skills development to address issues of early childhood development, primary and secondary schools education improvement, skills alignment to economic growth, artisan development, and youth skills development and lifelong learning are priority areas,’ said Mchunu.
