KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala today officially opened the state-of the-art Driver Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) which will service the previously disadvantaged community of Mtubatuba and surrounding areas.

Fully equipped with the latest technology in order to improve road safety, traffic law enforcement and service delivery, the centre is a one-stop-shop that consists of a motor vehicle registration authority, vehicle testing centre and driver licence testing centre.

Built at a cost of R31,8 million, the centre will not only bring government services closer to the people, but will also stimulate economic activity around the area and create much needed job opportunities.

Premier Zikalala, who was accompanied by MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni and Mtubatuba Local Municipality Mayor Thobelani Verus Ncamphalala was impressed with the technology at the centre and improved security features intended to eliminate fraud and corruption in the issuing of licences.

“Job creation is a priority of our government. We are determined to employ all the tools at our disposal to see that this region thrives economically. We have to work hard to turn around the fortunes of all the key sectors from tourism to agriculture. Today we are launching the Mtubatuba Driving License and Testing Centre as well as the driver's license programme for youth that has targeted 40 young beneficiaries, but it is our expectation that this number will grow exponentially,” said Premier Zikalala.

Premier Zikalala said the provincial government was also attending to service delivery concerns raised by citizens and acknowledged that water is a serious challenge in uMkhanyakude District.

“We recommit to improving water infrastructure to augment water supply in the area. We are also attending to issues pertaining to the supply of electricity to ensure that every household.