The Department of Cooperative Governance Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs in the Northern Cape is currently busy with a three-day Integrated Development Plan (IDP) Engagement Session in Upington with all the thirty-one (31) municipalities of the Northern Cape. The event started yesterday and will be concluded tomorrow, 5 June 2024 at the protea hotel in Upington. The department says in an official statement that the purpose of these engagement sessions is to, assess whether municipalities, during the current IDP review process (2024/2025) have identified areas in which the IDP (2022 – 2026) needs to be amended; assist and support municipalities with integration and consolidation of the programme and projects of external stakeholders like sector departments and private sector amongst others. Attendees yesterday said the first day was informative and they are looking forward to learn more during the remaining days. The department says the sessions kick-started with interactive presentations from local municipalities in the John Taolo Gatsewe (JTG) District Municipality and today and tomorrow presentations will be received from the remaining District and Local Municipalities. The department says, an opportunity will also be afforded to sector departments attending the session to share developmental and infrastructure related projects that will be happening in each municipal space across the Province.

Journalist: Mbali Masiza
Email: mbalimasiza198@gmail.com