Provincial Minister of infrastructure delivers maiden budget of R9.8 billion
Today, the Western Cape Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers, delivered his department’s maiden budget. The Minister tabled the R9.8 Billion budget, which is set to expedite investment and delivery of infrastructure projects in the province.
The budget will be spread across five output Programmes, with a keen focus on unlocking job and economic opportunities as well as mitigations to the energy crisis.
Following the pronouncement by Premier Alan Winde in March 2022, on the establishment of the department through the merger of the Department of Human Settlements and Transport & Public Works. The Department of Infrastructure will officially open its doors for business on 1 April 2023.
Highlights as to how the maiden R9.8 Billion budget will be allocated are as follows:
A sum of R 4.5 Billion has been set aside for the delivery and maintenance of a sustainable and integrated transport network. With R500 Million to be spent on projects that are currently in construction such as the R200 Million Malmesbury Bypass and the rehabilitation of the Waboomskraal – Holgaten road.
R61.9 Million will be allocated towards Energy initiatives through its Public Works Programme: The department has earmarked several projects, in which it will mitigate the energy crisis. This will include projects in various municipalities. Namely the Project preparation support for independent power producer (IPP) procurement in Stellenbosch for R9.8 Million. R1 Million towards the exploration for gas power and R3 Million towards grid and transmission infrastructure upgrades. In addition, through the Human Settlements branch, it will launch a pilot project and invest R24 Million through the installation of 976 solar geysers across various projects, that are currently in construction.
These include:
- Breede Valley - Transhex Housing project x 200 houses
- Drakenstein - Vlakkeland (military veterans) x 30 houses
- Swellendam – Railton x 350 houses
- Kannaland – Calitzdorp x 120 houses
- George – Syferfontein (military veterans) x 60 houses
- George – Metro Grounds x 216 houses
The bulk of the remaining budget will be spent in the Human Settlements branch with R2.6 Billion, earmarked to deliver 9 395 housing opportunities. While expediting the security of tenure and reducing the backlog in title deeds at a target of 6 600. Reflecting on the reduction of the conditional grants from the National Government, aimed at the delivery of title deeds Provincial Minster Simmers said: “The Department adjusted its own revenue budget of R10.407 million for the 2022/23 financial year. You will be glad to note that as of February 2023, the Department has collected R237,747 million, which resulted in an over-collection of R227,340 million.”
Through its Community Based Programme and EPWP, the department has allocated R68.6 Million towards some of its key priorities. It is expected that through this programme the department will create 5150 job opportunities in the upcoming fiscal year.
Reflecting on the speech Minister Simmers said “this is a budget aimed at building hope in our communities, through the initiatives that will provide access to economic opportunities. Making provision for mitigations against the energy crisis and empowerment through homeownership.”
“The department’s officials are in position and geared up to commence with the building of hope in the Western Cape when the Department of Infrastructure opens its doors to the rest of the economy” concluded the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers.
Media Enquiries:
Ntobeko Mbingeleli Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers Tel: 021 483 8067 Cell: 061 447 7851 Email: Ntobeko.Mbingeleli@westerncape.gov.za