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The DA welcomes the R9.887 billion budget allocated towards the Department of Infrastructure for the 2023/24 financial period. This Budget will focus on the development, continuation and commencement of major infrastructure projects in the Western Cape.

The newly formed Department of Infrastructure seeks to promote infrastructure-led development and growth, which will impact the communities and residents of the Western Cape. The Department has four main programmes excluding Administration, which all have infrastructure development and job creation at their core. These include:

• Human Settlements - R2 613 569 000
• Public Works Infrastructure - R2 296 667 000
• Transport Infrastructure - R4 589 129 000
• Community-based programmes - R68 646 000

During the Standing Committee on Infrastructure on Monday, the Department revealed some of the successes performed by the then provincial Department of Human Settlements in the current financial year, including managing the provincial government digital channels through which citizens have easy access to information and services, and providing public ICT facilities where citizens have free access to skills development opportunities.

The Department, furthermore, revealed that investments were and will be made in road infrastructure maintenance, identified through the Road Asset Management Plan and Asset Management System. Transport infrastructure has been allocated a budget of R 4.5 billion, which is the largest amongst the department’s programmes, making up 46% of the entire budget. The department will work to ensure its mandate and effect fundamental spatial transformation and swift response to climate change.

MPP Matlhodi Maseko says, “I welcome the Infrastructure Department budget which will enable the implementation of the following, amongst other programmes:

Complete the upgraded vocational and accommodation facility at the Horizon Child and Youth Care Centre;

Ensure that planning for construction projects will include safety elements such as streetlighting, lighting in public open spaces, courtyards and/or provision of urban environment in permeable spaces;

Provision of affordable housing through the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP); and

Extensive repairs and building works, including fire compliance at the Diaz Museum in Mossel Bay.

The Standing Committee on Infrastructure was pleased to be informed about some of the Department's initiatives for the new financial year and will be ensuring their implementation through our oversight functions."

Issued by Matlhodi Maseko, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Infrastructure