The DA in the Northern Cape believes that the MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism has missed an ideal opportunity to table ’a real plan’ for economic growth and service delivery in his budget speech.
THE DA in the Northern Cape believes that the MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Abraham Vosloo, has missed an ideal opportunity to table “a real plan” for economic growth and service delivery in his budget speech.
DA provincial spokesperson on finance, Fawzia Rhoda, pointed out that Stage 4 load shedding was adding to pressures created by increased fuel and food prices.
“The Northern Cape’s economy needs more than half-hearted promises repeated from previous years. With one out of every two people in the Province unemployed and with 60 percent of small micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) at risk of closing their doors permanently, the provincial budget should be used to create an environment conducive for the sustained creation of sustainable economic opportunities,” said Vosloo.
She stated that the MEC had chosen to repeat half-baked promises instead.
“The half-hearted promise that economic projects led by the Northern Cape Economic Development Trade and Investment Agency (Nceda) and other agencies will be fast-tracked does not inspire much confidence. After all, Nceda was expected to drive the designation of a special economic zone in Upington by 2014. It is now 12 years and millions of rand later, but all that has happened is that the special economic zone is now intended for Namakwa.”
Rhoda added that the Northern Cape economy was “doomed for failure”.
“The SMME sector that is the backbone of the economy is being crippled by the persistent reluctance of organs of state to pay their bills on time, every time.
“Business needs an implementable plan now, not a vague promise of accountability to come.”
