Umzinyathi singled out in SONA 2015
District to receive Presidential funding
Umzinyathi was singled out by President Zuma at last night’s dramatic State of the Nation address as on of the 27 poorest districts in the country to receive Government funding to alleviate poverty.
Among the projects identified t oalleviateroverty include the new double lane bridge over the Tugela River at Tugela Ferry and investment in agriculture. Funds are to be also accessed for drought relieft.
Others issues included:
The key issues addressed focused mainly around three things:
Energy: President Jacob Zuma did not beat around the bush when it came down to the energy concerns of the country.
He believed establishing the finances of electricicty suppliers, Eskom was a priority and the group would be given R23 billion to do so in the next fiscal year.
He acknowledged South Africa was experiencing serious energy constraints.
“These issues are an impediment to economic growth, and are a major inconvenience to everyone in the country.”
From hyrdo-electric energy, to gas-mining and the continued development of nuclear energy, Zuma said the cabinet was working ‘around the clock’ to source and establish these energy structures in the country.
The possibility of hydraulic fracturing in the future was mention, as Zuma delved lightly into the Karoo’s gas supply.
Stating the country’s economy needed a major push forward, he admitted gravely that the country was at risk of not achieving its growth target of five percent by 2019.
On the bright side, according to a survey released by Stats SA regarding jobs in the country over the last quarter of 2014, 15.3 million people were employed in the country.
“Jobs grew by 203 000.”
Zuma was mandated with a target of six million jobs being created over five years and confidently boasted of the 850 000 ‘work opportunities’ created thus far.
For more on SONA 2015 go the Newcastle Advertiser site.
