Promises really ought to be kept
CENTRAL to Premier David Makhura’s development proposals over the next 15 years in Gauteng is a massive roll-out of infrastructure in five development corridors in the province.
The DA indicated the objectives would not be met for two reasons. First, the plan was not cohesive or integrated, not linked to Gauteng strategy and not owned or driven by the province. The plan is nothing but a bunch of ad hoc projects, some of which have been on local government’s books for years without getting out of the starting blocks. Pulling these projects into a so-called provincial plan was a lazy approach to planning.
Second, the government’s poor history in terms of largescale infrastructure development is almost certain to sink the proposals and the plan. The government at all levels has consistently failed to roll out the infrastructure required to stimulate the economy.
The only elements of the project that could come to fruition are those developed by the private sector. In this regard, the premier was urged to treat private businesses with more respect, because these were the entities that could save his government’s embarrassment from further failure.
The budget for infrastructure spend at a national level has been underspent by between 18 and 24 percent, translating into R293 billion over six years.
The record at provincial level is worse. We are not able to spend R1.5bn a year on infrastructure in this province. Last year, the infrastructure underspend was R643 million. This year, with one and a half months to go before the end of the financial year, 53 percent of the budget has been spent.
The Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development needs to spend a further R1.5bn before the end of the month.
Failure to acknowledge these weaknesses in the plan for political reasons will scupper development. Makhura will be held to account for these unrealistic promises. DA Gauteng spokesman for infrastructure