Roads and transport a mixed bag

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s (GPL) Roads & Transport Portfolio Committee, led by Jacob Khawe took questions on the annual report for the 2015/16 financial year by the Roads and Transport Department on Tuesday, November 1. The session took place at the GPL.

The progress has been mixed, with a number of successful projects, but also setbacks. It was revealed that under the year in review, the Department of Roads and Transport received R6 481 601 000 and spent R6 259 301 000.

According to the annual report, the Department’s actual expenditure increased by R387 217 000 (6.18%) between the year under review and 2014/15.

The under-expenditure of the Department remains at 3% in comparison with the previous financial year.

Projects

Despite this under-expenditure, a number of projects were achieved and these includes the completion of multi-year projects such as the N12 in West Rand, R25 Kempton Park to Bronkhorstspruit, Phase 2 of the R82, Tembisa Driver License Testing Centre (DLTC), Kagiso DLTC, Germiston Transport Operating License Administrative Board, road P39/1 Laudium to Diepsloot and Cedar Road.

In addition, progress is noticeable on Road K46 between William The achievements of the Roads and Transport Department have to be considered together with its shortfallings.

Nicol from PWV5 to Diepsloot/ N14, and the N14 stretch between Hendrick Potgieter and Diepsloot.

The Department failed to meet some of its set targets due to delays in the completion of Roodepoort and Vereeniging intermodal facilities. In addition, the some of the contracted buses did not operate in some areas and this affected commuters. It also failed to construct some non-motorised transport infrastructure and distribute bicycles in the financial year under review, and these targets are deferred to 2016/17 financial year.

Inclusion targets

It is also noteworthy that most of the projects did not meet the gender, youth and disability (Geyodi) targets in relation to women and people with disabilities, failing to implement passed resolutions pertaining to Geyodi targets. Furthermore, the Department did not heed the call by the portfolio committee to strengthen project management and contractual management skills.

Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) expenditure awarded for women and people with disabilities was also not achieved, affecting a national government priority to ignite growth and create jobs through unlocking the potential of small, medium, and micro enterprises, co-operatives, township and rural enterprises.

Oversight needed

While the performance of the Department was improving, the committee said however there were noticeable challenges recorded in the expenditure of administration programme, and poor project management in the intermodal facility projects.

The financial records of the Gautrain Management Agency also require further scrutiny as the entity had expenditure variance. The g-Fleet management organisational structures required a serious review, most particularly in the senior management level. The committee, according to the report, should also pay particular attention on the non-implementation of resolutions by the Department and g-Fleet management that were adopted under the financial year review.