The Western Cape Provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertius Simmers, delivered his department’s maiden budget last week. He 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.
Premier Alan Winde announced in March last year the establishment of the department through the merger of the Department of Human Settlements and Transport and Public Works. The Department of Infrastructure officially opened its doors for business on 1 April.
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. They are:. Breede Valley – Transhex Housing project (200 houses). Drakenstein – Vlakkeland (military veterans) (30 houses) . Swellendam – Railton (350 houses) . Kannaland – Calitzdorp (120 houses) . George – Syferfontein (military veterans) (60 houses) . George – Metro Grounds (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, 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 from 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. Up to 5 150 job opportunities are slated.
Said Simmers: “This budget is aimed at building hope through initiatives that will provide access to economic opportunities. Also, to mitigate the energy crisis and empower through home ownership.”
