North West Infrastructure In Dire Need Of Revitalisation

Public logistics infrastructure in the North West is in a critical state, says Consulting Engineers South Africa CESA.

According to CESA, functional transportation systems including much-needed upgrades to roads, railways and airports are needed to position the agriculture and mining-dependent province as an import and export hub.

The CEO of CESA, Chris Campbell, says such transport deficiencies have far-reaching economic impacts.

This comes as the Mmabatho Airport in Mahikeng remains largely unused after a R400 million SA Express tender was unscrupulously spent and the airports potential as a cargo port was also wasted.

The fact that we have on our doorstep here in M ahikeng an airport which was functional, which can be grown to not only service commuter passengers but also the transport of goods and services. Our neighbouring countries are on the border and certainly one can look at M ahikeng as an airport itself as a hub for the export and even import of goods that then can be transported inland, says Campbell.