By More Matshediso
Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) has been allocated R4.9 billion to implement capital and maintenance projects, mainly for the health and education departments, in the province.
Delivering her Budget Vote, on Tuesday, the MEC said her departmental voted funds have increased form R1.6 billion in 2013/14 financial year to R2 billion in 2014/15 financial year.
“This represents an 8% increase on the appropriated funds. Over and above the R2 billion allocated for the 2014/15 financial year, DID is managing projects of the client department valued at about R3 billion,” said MEC Mayathula-Khoza.
She said the Provincial Treasury has allocated R600 million to DID to fully implement the Infrastructure Delivery Management System (IDMS), which was developed by the department in the previous financial year.
“In this financial year, R150 million was allocated for IDMS. The IDMS is our business model that will provide a standardised framework to ensure infrastructure delivery,” the MEC said.
She said the funds will allow DID to recruit qualified professionals in areas such as engineering, architects, quantity surveyors, and artisans to fast track infrastructure development in the province.
She said her department will use available resources to ensure that it develops appropriate and robust business systems and processes to strengthen its institutional capacity.
She outlined six strategic themes for the medium term and aligned them with the 10 strategic pillars which Premier David Makhura announced in his State of The Province Address.
The themes comprise sustainable infrastructure, accelerate service delivery, organisational development for building state capacity, optimise state assets for economic development and supporting entrepreneurs, empowering communities through job creation in partnership with the public and private sector and integrated planning.
“We accept the challenge that going forward it cannot be business as usual, we need radical interventions to drive the transformation agenda,” MEC Mayathula-Khoza said.
She also announced that an additional amount of R296.83 million has been allocated to the Administration Programme to support the function of the department.
“The total allocation for compensation of employees is R737.9 million. This allocation has to be seen in context of a total responsibility of R4.9 billion that has to be administered by our department,” she added.
Schools Infrastructure
MEC Mayathula-Khoza said R1.3 billion has been set aside for various programmes for the Department of Education in the current financial year.
These projects are a new Infrastructure programme, rehabilitation and refurbishment, upgrading and additions, which include new schools, Fencing, Grade R, Septic Tanks and Upgrades of Full Service Schools.
“We will also kick-start the construction of eleven new schools, which are currently at a tender stage,” said MEC Mayathula-Khoza.
Health Infrastructure
She said DID will also implement 119 projects on behalf of the Department of Health in this financial year.
MEC Mayathula-Khoza said the maintenance budget for the Health facilities in the province amounts to R1.121 billion.
“These projects have a total allocation of R466.7 million. DID will also commence with the construction of various projects including the New Daveyton Forensic Pathology Mortuary, Charlotte Maxeke, Revitalisation of Staff Residences, Natalspruit Staff Residence, New Lillian Ngoyi District Hospital, Boikutsong Community Day Care Clinic and Bonalesedi Nursing College.”
“We will also complete the construction of the New Randgate Clinic,” she added. – SAnews.gov.za
