Future economic growth in the North West is largely dependent on the extent and quality of our road network. In my budget speech earlier this year I made a number of important announcements about the progress we are making with the construction of provincial and local roads to benefit communities living in small towns and villages.
We also published a Road Network Strategy, which sets out in great detail the province's plans to upgrade roads to higher standards of quality. Despite budget constraints, the road infrastructure that serves critical sectors of our economy – such as mining, tourism, commerce and agriculture – will remain a provincial priority.
The North West welcomes the contribution by SANRAL to plan, construct and maintain the primary network in our province. Through our partnership with SANRAL, we are jointly contributing to growth, economic transformation and the restoration of dignity to our communities.
We are especially looking forward to the planned improvements to the R52, which will have a major impact on growth in the Bojanala Platinum and Ngaka Modiri Molema districts. Once completed, this road development will greatly contribute to job creation and small business development in the province.
Similarly, an upgraded R34 will improve our linkages with neighbouring provinces and bring better mobility and safety to an important regional artery.
The North West strongly supports SANRAL's Transformation Policy and its intention to use local service providers and local labour that lives close to construction activities. This fits in well with our own commitment to increase the involvement of local people in infrastructure projects that have an impact on communities.
Together we can continue to turn our roads into important arteries that will contribute to accelerated economic development and the quality of life of the people of the North West.