Summit theme stresses importance of infrastructures - Dos Santos

Luanda, Luanda – The Angolan head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos, said that the theme of the 31st Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) is “very significant” and shows the recognition of the importance of the development of infrastructures as a guarantor of the circulation of people and goods, coupled with the economic development.The head of State was welcoming his counterparts attending the SADC Summit taking place in Luanda with the theme “Consolidating the bases for regional integration, development of infrastructures to facilitate trade and economic liberalisation.”Eduardo dos Santos stated that this was the understanding of the Angolan Government nine years ago, when the war ended and it decided to embark on a process of reconciliation and national reconstruction.To the president of the republic, “without harmonisation of spirits and the  recovery and creation of new infrastructures, it would not be possible to ensure stability and generate new jobs, thus putting at stake the very process of development.” He also stated that the creation of infrastructures is also a guarantee of the peace process in a State, because of the multiplying effect it has on the growth of the economy, in the distribution of the rich and overcoming of the gap among the various areas of the country. As an example, he informed that the Angolan Government has recovered 3,982 kilometres of the road basic network, asphalted 6,699 kilometres of road, and another 1,743 are underway. The president added that the Government has rehabilitated 760 kilometres of railway, another 1,644 kilometres are underway and rebuilt 250 bridges, built 121 and 475 are under rehabilitation. José Eduardo dos Santos also highlighted the rehabilitation of six big hydroelectric dams and construction of two new, the repair and enlargement of eight electricity transformation posts and construction of five sub-stations, including the repair of five electric power transportation networks, while another six were built and five are under construction. He also mentioned the rehabilitation of 15 networks of power distribution, and construction of seven in the provinces of Kuando Kubango, Cunene and Lunda Norte. The head of State said as well that in addition, the Government has built social infrastructures that permitted the access of millions to education and health. José Eduardo dos Santos said he hopes that this summit produces the expected results so that the community gains a new momentum that definitely places it on the path to a sustainable and irreversible development “It is up to us, that yesterday rose the flag of freedom against oppression, to rise today the flag of peace, democracy and development, always placing on the horizon the inalienable interests of our people,” president said.