Summit to unpack developmental initiatives for the Wild Coast

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development will be hosting a summit this week to unpack developmental initiatives targeting the Wild Coast.

The Integrated Wild Coast Development Programme Summit in Mthatha on Thursday and Friday, is a strategic initiative designed to bring about significant changes to the Wild Coast area and will incorporate the district municipalities of OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo and Amathole.

The Department of Economic Development, which is driving the programme, says the initiative is built around agro-processing, green industries and tourism and supported by major infrastructure projects.

The major infrastructure projects underpinning the Wild Coast Initiative are the N-2 highway, the Wild Coast Meander and the construction of the Mzimvubu Dam.

Construction of the dam is expected to begin in the last quarter of 2014 and scheduled for completion in 2019.

About 100 million rand will be made available to continue with the construction of Mthatha Airport as the gateway to the Wild Coast.