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If bulk infrastructure constraints in a number of Northern Cape municipalities are not addressed urgently, it could bring economic development in these towns to a complete standstill.

This was revealed by COGHSTA, in its Annual Performance Plan, that six municipalities, including Gamagara, Ga Segonyana, Siyancuma, Tsantsabane, Dawid Kruiper and Kai !Garib, are facing extremely constrained bulk infrastructure while three, including Sol Plaatje, Dikgatlong and Emthanjeni, are facing poor bulk infrastructure conditions.

Already, these constraints are inhibiting the future construction of housing, particularly in Kathu, Kuruman, De Aar and Upington.

It is reported that Kathu can only allow construction of a maximum of 200 houses until bulk water and sanitation services addressed. Kuruman wastewater treatment works is running at over capacity and it is estimated that only 800 additional houses can be connected to wastewater treatment works, after which they will have to make use of ventilated pit latrines.

While it has been reported that there are currently 41 projects in the province planned or underway, at a value of R2 billion, the total cost to address bulk water and sanitation backlogs in the province is an estimated R18,8 billion. The bulk infrastructure is therefore not nearly adequate to accommodate future development or demand.

The Northern Cape cannot hope to build the provincial economy if bulk infrastructure, on which it depends, remains inadequate.

The matter should not just be of concern to municipalities and COGHSTA. It should be a priority of the entire provincial government and especially the Premier, who has just launched a state-owned construction company.

We need to know how provincial government is going to mitigate this threat, as adequate bulk infrastructure forms the very foundation of economic growth, while the lack thereof puts a cap on development and jobs – something the impoverished Northern Cape can ill-afford.

The DA will request that this matter be addressed in a collective portfolio committee meeting with all stakeholders, including the affected municipalities, COGHSTA, Economic Development, Public Works and the Office of the Premier.

Issued by Michael Kaars MPL - Provincial Spokesperson of COGHSTA