The Advisory Panel on Socio-economic Impact of E-tolls is making steady progress with its work and will now begin consultations.
 
From 27 August 2014, the panel is embarking on a month long process of consultation with organisations and individuals.   The consultation process is aligned to the research work which is already underway.
 
The consultation will solicit new views on the economic, social and environmental impacts of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) and e-tolls. In considering the direct and indirect costs and benefits, the panel will focus on expanding knowledge as well as explore the implications and perceptions of financing the GFIP from the fiscus taking into account other demands on the fiscus.
 
In embarking on the consultation process, the panel also intends to expand the public discourse on the GFIP and E-tolls.   Organisations have been invited to respond to the information provided by the key implementers of GFIP and e-tolls, and to address the following questions:
a)    What are the economic and social impacts of GFIP and the E-tolls?
b)    What is the impact of the GFIP and E-tolls on the environment?
c)    How and where are the costs and benefits of GFIP and E-tolls distributed across society and the economy?

The panel wishes to emphasise that the process of consultation on the impacts of GFIP and e-tolls is an objective process with no pre-determined outcome.  The report of the panel to the Premier at the end of November will be in the form of analysis and recommendations grounded in substantial evidence.  
 
All the hearings will take place at the Gautrain Offices, 44 Grand Central Boulevard, Grand Central Extension 1, Midrand, from 08h30 – 16h00, as follows:

• Labour: 27 August 2014
• Business:  28 – 29 August 2014
• Civil society:  1 – 3 September 2014
• Information and knowledge institutions:  4 September 2014
• Transport organisations:  8 – 9 September 2014

The consultations during this phase are open to organisations only and will be followed by public meetings throughout Gauteng. Political parties represented in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature will also be consulted.  
 
Organisations still wishing to make a submission to the panel should submit a request in writing to the Secretary of the E-tolls Advisory Panel, 30 Simmonds Street, Johannesburg, 2107. Requests can also be sent via email to etollspanel@gauteng.gov.za.
 
The hearings are open to the media.  
 
A notice providing details of the public meetings and a call for written submissions will be published on 31 August 2014.
 
Issued by Gauteng Provincial Government
 
For more information contact Gauteng Provincial Government spokesperson Thabo Masebe on 082 410 8087 / 011 355 6878 or Thabo.Masebe@gauteng.gov.za  
 
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