Billions allocated FOR infrastructure development

The FS government will spend R20-million on the revitalisation of factories in Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu and QwaQwa

A huge slice of the R26-billion 2012/2013 budget announced by finance MEC, Seiso Mohai, on Wednesday will be spent on housing and infrastructure development in the province.

Mohai allocated R1.4-billion to public works and R2.2-billion to the department of police, roads and transport. Both departments are responsible for building of houses, roads, schools, clinic as well as other critical public infrastructure.

The provincial government wants to use huge infrastructure projects to create much needed jobs for the unemployed in the province. Infrastructural development will also ensure that the province builds and maintains accessible roads.

The budget is an implementation of the State of the Province Address by Premier Ace Magashule. It also seeks to realise the objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP) and the Free State Growth and Development Strategy (FSGDS).

“No one is better positioned than our public works department to ensure that our infrastructure investments and plans are coordinated and implemented effectively for better economic growth,” said Mohai.

Mohai said the allocation made to the police, roads and transport will enable it to implement sustainable transport management strategy. The Free State province is situated at the heart of the country, and its roads are viewed as assets that can help grow the provincial economy.

“I am quite certain that by now, we all agree that the key word in addressing the three evils of unemployment, poverty and inequality is sustainable economic growth. You cannot achieve this noble objective if economic infrastructure is inadequate and is not maintained properly. We need to ensure that our roads are maintained and safe for use.”

The other department that received over a billion in allocation is human settlements. Mohai said this is intended to enable the department to provide decent housing in the province. He noted there is a challenge of rapid urbanisation and deterioration of socio-economic conditions in the province.

The department will spend R2.6-billion in its 2013 mid-term expenditure framework (MTEF) that will deal with all these challenges. It received R1.234-billion for 2013/2014 financial year.

Mohai invited the private sector to join the provincial government in advancing the objectives of economic growth and creating job opportunities to reduce unemployment, inequality and poverty.

“This government will continue to create an enabling environment for business development. We will continue to support the establishment of enterprises and the up-and-coming small, micro and medium enterprises and, more so, the development and sustainability of cooperatives in the province.”

The department of economic development, tourism and environmental affairs received R450-million for 2013/2014.

At a later press conference, Mohai said the provincial government will spend R20-million for the revitalisation of factories in Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu and QwaQwa. The provincial has also set aside R5-million for the development of cooperatives.

“We must transform and develop the main industries in our province namely, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and infrastructure. We must develop and expand the manufacturing sector beyond the dominance of petrochemicals to include textiles and food processing as large portions of the manufacturing sector.”

Mohai also allayed fears that the department of health in the province is in a crisis. The department was allocated R7.8-billion for the 2013/2014 financial year.

“There is no crisis in the health department. However, there are challenges that we need to deal with. Challenges like budget management and prioritising the non-negotiables in the department.”

The department of social development was allocated R951-million for the 2013/2014 financial, education received R10.4-billion, agriculture R67-million, sport, arts and culture gotR515-million, cooperative governance and traditional affairs were given R348.313-million, the office of the premier received R279-million and the Free State Legislature was allocated R173-million while treasury got R21-million.

“This government will continue to create an enabling environment for business development. We will continue to support the establishment of enterprises and the up-and-coming small, micro and medium enterprises and, more so, the development and sustainability of cooperatives in the province.”

The department of economic development, tourism and environmental affairs received R450-million for 2013/2014.

At a later press conference, Mohai said the provincial government will spend R20-million for the revitalisation of factories in Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu and QwaQwa. The provincial government has also set aside R5-million for the development of cooperatives.

“We must transform and develop the main industries in our province namely, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and infrastructure. We must develop and expand the manufacturing sector beyond the dominance of petrochemicals to include textiles and food processing as large portions of the manufacturing sector.”

Mohai also allayed fears that the department of health in the province is in a crisis. The department was allocated R7.8-billion for the 2013/2014 financial year.

“There is no crisis in the health department. However, there are challenges that we need to deal with. Challenges like budget management and prioritising the non-negotiables in the department.”

The department of social development was allocated R951-million for the 2013/2014 financial, education received R10.4-billion, agriculture R67-million, sport, arts and culture got R515-million, cooperative governance and traditional affairs were given R348.313-million, the office of the premier received R279-million and the Free State legislature was allocated R173-million while treasury got R21-million.