Date: 07/06/2004
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: T Mhlahlo: Eastern Cape Transport Prov Budget Vote 2004/2005
POLICY SPEECH ON BUDGET VOTE 10, FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2004-2005, DELIVERED BY MR T MHLAHLO, MEC FOR TRANSPORT, Provincial Legislature, Eastern Cape, 7 June 2004
Madam Speaker and Deputy Speaker,
Premier Mrs Nosimo Balindlela,
Honourable Members of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature
People of our province and our country
Ladies and Gentlemen
"Moving Back to Rail"
Today, we come to this house to commemorate the success of our first decade of democracy and to further pledge our commitment in the fundamental task of changing the lives of all our people.
Madam Speaker and Honourable members of this house, we are presenting our policy speech and budget of the Department of Transport after the State of the Nation Address of the President of South Africa and the State of the Province Address by the Premier of the Eastern Cape Province, Mrs Nosimo Balindlela. I wish to further present this address as a tribute to all young people of this country, who made it possible for very establishment of this Augusta house through their own struggles and sacrifices of 16 June 1976.
Today, 7 June 2004, we are 9 days before the 30th anniversary of 16 June and 19 days towards the 49th anniversary of the existence of the people's document - "The Freedom Charter".
At the time of our liberation in 1994, Eastern Cape was identified as one of the poorest provinces in the country.
An overwhelmingly rural population depended mainly on sub-standard transport services for accessibility to major economic centres and natural resources. The 10 years since 1994 have seen a remarkable transformation in all modes of transport in the province. The Department has continued to implement the remedial measures to inherited transport problems in the province. Since 1998, we have embarked on a progressive rehabilitation of the infrastructure we have inherited and developed an alternative mode of transport to the current domineering and costly road transport in the province.
The Department has also identified programmes to improve rural accessibility in order to contribute to the national and provincial goals, and address the socio-economic constraints that face our rural population. Since 1994, the rural development policies have recognised the linkages that exist between rural and urban areas, in fostering strong provincial and national economies. However, there are large areas of the rural community that are inadequately served by public transport services; and transport infrastructure facilities. These must be urgently addressed if the planned levels of integrated political, social and economic development are to be achieved. To this effect environment; the Department has aggressively participated in both national and provincial policy decisions and developmental plans like, the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Plan, and the PGDP. We have also undertaken a preparation of specific plans like the Rural Transport Development Plan to enhance land-use, transport integrated development, and bridge interactions between rural and urban areas in the province.
Honourable Speaker and members, the policy and budget we are presenting today are deriving from the instructions of the PGDP.
In pursuance of both national and provincial strategic policy objectives as clearly documented in our policies. The Department intends to vigorously implement transportation projects that will address and enhance job creation, as part of the Extended Public Works Programme the integrated rural development; urban renewal; land use, environment, and HIV and AIDS.
Before I present our proposed programme for this Financial Year, it is prudent that I highlight a few successes of the Department in the last financial year.
We:
* Engaged 120 unemployed youths in studying for a National Certificate and National Diploma in a learnership programme;
* 10 graduates for the Traffic Diploma
* Increased the ratio of female senior managers from 9% to 21%;
* Absorbed personnel who qualified from ABET programme into higher positions
* Held road shows and exhibitions to promote transport as a career;
* Awarded bursaries to students studying towards these qualifications.
Staff training is of crucial importance in order to improve the basic skills of traffic officers. To this end the Department;
* Trained ten (10) staff members from the supernumerary officials taken over from other Departments
* Increased the Provincial Task Team of Traffic Officers from twelve (12) to thirty-six (36);
* Constructed a Traffic Control Centre (TCC) at Kinkelbos;
* Upgraded six (6) Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) in Cradock, Alexandria, Aliwal North, Engcobo, Maclear and Mount Ayliff at a cost of R3, 2 m;
The Department instituted measures during the financial year 2003/4 to address some of these road safety problems:
* Driver Training and Education Project was introduced to enhance driving skills of Professional Drivers in Bus and Truck categories and women driver categories
* Road Safety cyclist education and learner visibility for 70 schools.
Madam Speaker, as mentioned in the policy speech for the last financial year, the Department has completed a Route Viability Study to identify priority routes for subsidisation and the determining of a fair and reasonable level of subsidy per route. As part of promoting Non-Motorised Transport (NMT), in May last year a total of 119 students coming from disadvantaged background benefited from a pilot bicycle project (Shova ka Lula).
In our moving back to rail, the Department commissioned 4 contracts to refurbish the existing rail line between aMabele and Umtata as part of the Kei Rail project. Contracts for the upgrading of station buildings at certain major stations along the line have been advertised and awarded thus creating additional jobs.
Already as we speak Madam Speaker, there are 773 people employed and approximately R135m financial injection to the economy of the region, which will further enhance the project.
The Department proceeded with its efforts to address aspects of the road environment affecting traffic safety by conducting road safety audits.
The Department during the financial year 2003/2004 finalised the process of restructuring Government Motor Transport (GMT) with a view of transforming Government Garages and fleet management services into efficient delivery entities on a PPP basis.
In preparation for the challenging tasks to be undertaken this year;
The Department has re-aligned its programmes in accordance with the 2003 National Treasury Framework and reduced them from six (6) into three (3) service delivery programmes.
The new organisational structure will facilitate the creation of revenue collection posts thus more focus will now be on specialised ways and means of financial management.
A new Supply Chain Management system has been introduced with more emphasis on the development of the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) base.
At least 20% of its Departmental skills levy will focus on development of women and persons with disabilities. The department has launched a Maths and Science programme for students in grades 10-12, to build cadres for Civil Engineering in collaboration with the PE Technikon.
We will continue with the minimisation of the scourge of HIV and AIDS in the transport sector through prevention campaigns and care support.
An amount of R10 million has been allocated in this financial year for the building of two Vehicle Testing Stations at Maluti and Bizana; and R971 000 for the continuation of the upgrading process of Driving Licence Testing Centres.
Honourable Members of this house; I am pleased to inform you that the Department has already secured 6 trucks on a lease basis at approximately R1.65m, per year from Fleet Africa, for the sole purpose of stray animal control; therefore please ensure that your animals do not stray onto our roads, lest you be forced to pay heavy fines from your meagre allowances.
The Department has undertaken the use of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) to monitor these services commencing in this financial year. This initiative has been successful on three (3) buses in the Amatole, OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo districts. An amount of R19, 4 million has been allocated for new contracts to be effected in this financial year in order to sustain the operations of Public Transport service in the rural areas with special focus on the former Transkei region. The Department has allocated a preliminary amount of R20 million for the Restructuring of Mayibuye Transport Corporation.
We will strengthen our working relationship with Local Government structures more so on all multi-modal public transport infrastructural matters to incorporate the technical requirements for the proposed and larger New Taxi Vehicle (NTV).
The Department will support Taxi operators in their drive towards a formalized institution and Tax accountability with SARS for their members getting registered as tax payers and as such becoming responsible citizens.
Land transport planning is one of the core functions of the Department with our responsibilities specified in the National Land Transport Transition Act (NLTTA). I wish to briefly mention some of the initiatives that are under way and which will continue in this financial year.
Road signage to promote tourism routes throughout the Province has been designed in partnership with the Eastern Cape Tourism Board and is ready for implementation. A Strategy to guide systematic monitoring of traffic flows on strategic provincial roads in the Province has been developed for implementation with effect from this year.
Future Plans:
There is another planned fast train between Nelson Mandela Metro and Johannesburg and other road and rail linkages that are meant to change the face of the provincial economy. We also visualise the Kei Rail line being further extended to make a connection with KwaZulu-Natal in the near future. We further believe that current and planned feeder roads; like the Ugie-Langeni will link the Kei Rail line with the inland forestry plantations, rural villages and the coastal resorts of the former Transkei.
In the state of the nation address by President Thabo Mbeki, he announced that the first ship will be able to dock at the new Coega/Ngqurha Port by September next year. This announcement prompts us to expedite the continuous improvement of our transport infrastructure to meet world-class standards. World-class infrastructure underpins our efforts to drive economic development for all our people.
The 2010 Soccer World Cup to be held in South Africa is another challenging world showpiece, which would have great significance to the economy and the tourist potential of the Eastern Cape, and of course to the millions of supporters, players and administrators who will come to our province.
This requires ultra-modern and user-friendly transport system and infrastructure, including road and rail, to put us at the forefront of global excellence. A giant leap has already been taken towards that direction through the opening of the R30 million Port Elizabeth Airport's new terminal on 20 May 2004.
Conclusion
Madam Speaker and Hon. Members, for this democracy to have any meaning to our forefathers, our comrades in the struggle, our fallen heroes and heroines, our present and future children, we must all make constructive contributions to bring meaningful change to our people. Transport underlies our social, political; and economic fabrics. For all purposes we need efficient, cost effective, reliable and safe multi-modal transport systems. This year's proposed investments are a drop in the ocean given the magnitude of the infrastructural problems we face as this province. For us to bring a meaningful contribution towards the "Peoples Contract to create employment and fight poverty", the national and provincial wealth of our country shall be transferred to ownership of the people as a whole as highlighted in the Freedom Charter.
We will make sure that all these planned projects contribute to the restoration of the dignity of our people. We are fully aware that the challenge of reconstruction and development is huge and it requires all patriots to join hands, work as a collective and hasten the achievement of our vision of a better life for all. This requires total commitment and interaction between all spheres of Government, business, labour and organs of civil society.
The Department has developed the concept of transport forums to give opportunity to our communities to contribute in the development of policy direction and transformation of transport. Guidelines in this regard have been developed.
Another initiative to establish a forum where rail related issues affecting the province could be discussed has been welcomed by the relevant stakeholders and some preparatory meetings held in recent months. The establishment of the Eastern Cape Rail Committee will be formalised soon, and committee members will be appointed from relevant and critical stakeholders. The main objective of this committee will be to ensure maximum utilisation of existing facilities and cost effective-demand responsive planning in order to achieve a viable rail mode of transport in the Eastern Cape.
Madam Speaker, Indeed this Department will serve with HUMILITY, HONESTY and INTEGRITY, and under no circumstances shall we abandon the POOR and the DISADVANTAGED for we are the MOVING LINK.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
7 June 2004
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: T Mhlahlo: Eastern Cape Transport Prov Budget Vote 2004/2005
POLICY SPEECH ON BUDGET VOTE 10, FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2004-2005, DELIVERED BY MR T MHLAHLO, MEC FOR TRANSPORT, Provincial Legislature, Eastern Cape, 7 June 2004
Madam Speaker and Deputy Speaker,
Premier Mrs Nosimo Balindlela,
Honourable Members of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature
People of our province and our country
Ladies and Gentlemen
"Moving Back to Rail"
Today, we come to this house to commemorate the success of our first decade of democracy and to further pledge our commitment in the fundamental task of changing the lives of all our people.
Madam Speaker and Honourable members of this house, we are presenting our policy speech and budget of the Department of Transport after the State of the Nation Address of the President of South Africa and the State of the Province Address by the Premier of the Eastern Cape Province, Mrs Nosimo Balindlela. I wish to further present this address as a tribute to all young people of this country, who made it possible for very establishment of this Augusta house through their own struggles and sacrifices of 16 June 1976.
Today, 7 June 2004, we are 9 days before the 30th anniversary of 16 June and 19 days towards the 49th anniversary of the existence of the people's document - "The Freedom Charter".
At the time of our liberation in 1994, Eastern Cape was identified as one of the poorest provinces in the country.
An overwhelmingly rural population depended mainly on sub-standard transport services for accessibility to major economic centres and natural resources. The 10 years since 1994 have seen a remarkable transformation in all modes of transport in the province. The Department has continued to implement the remedial measures to inherited transport problems in the province. Since 1998, we have embarked on a progressive rehabilitation of the infrastructure we have inherited and developed an alternative mode of transport to the current domineering and costly road transport in the province.
The Department has also identified programmes to improve rural accessibility in order to contribute to the national and provincial goals, and address the socio-economic constraints that face our rural population. Since 1994, the rural development policies have recognised the linkages that exist between rural and urban areas, in fostering strong provincial and national economies. However, there are large areas of the rural community that are inadequately served by public transport services; and transport infrastructure facilities. These must be urgently addressed if the planned levels of integrated political, social and economic development are to be achieved. To this effect environment; the Department has aggressively participated in both national and provincial policy decisions and developmental plans like, the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Plan, and the PGDP. We have also undertaken a preparation of specific plans like the Rural Transport Development Plan to enhance land-use, transport integrated development, and bridge interactions between rural and urban areas in the province.
Honourable Speaker and members, the policy and budget we are presenting today are deriving from the instructions of the PGDP.
In pursuance of both national and provincial strategic policy objectives as clearly documented in our policies. The Department intends to vigorously implement transportation projects that will address and enhance job creation, as part of the Extended Public Works Programme the integrated rural development; urban renewal; land use, environment, and HIV and AIDS.
Before I present our proposed programme for this Financial Year, it is prudent that I highlight a few successes of the Department in the last financial year.
We:
* Engaged 120 unemployed youths in studying for a National Certificate and National Diploma in a learnership programme;
* 10 graduates for the Traffic Diploma
* Increased the ratio of female senior managers from 9% to 21%;
* Absorbed personnel who qualified from ABET programme into higher positions
* Held road shows and exhibitions to promote transport as a career;
* Awarded bursaries to students studying towards these qualifications.
Staff training is of crucial importance in order to improve the basic skills of traffic officers. To this end the Department;
* Trained ten (10) staff members from the supernumerary officials taken over from other Departments
* Increased the Provincial Task Team of Traffic Officers from twelve (12) to thirty-six (36);
* Constructed a Traffic Control Centre (TCC) at Kinkelbos;
* Upgraded six (6) Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) in Cradock, Alexandria, Aliwal North, Engcobo, Maclear and Mount Ayliff at a cost of R3, 2 m;
The Department instituted measures during the financial year 2003/4 to address some of these road safety problems:
* Driver Training and Education Project was introduced to enhance driving skills of Professional Drivers in Bus and Truck categories and women driver categories
* Road Safety cyclist education and learner visibility for 70 schools.
Madam Speaker, as mentioned in the policy speech for the last financial year, the Department has completed a Route Viability Study to identify priority routes for subsidisation and the determining of a fair and reasonable level of subsidy per route. As part of promoting Non-Motorised Transport (NMT), in May last year a total of 119 students coming from disadvantaged background benefited from a pilot bicycle project (Shova ka Lula).
In our moving back to rail, the Department commissioned 4 contracts to refurbish the existing rail line between aMabele and Umtata as part of the Kei Rail project. Contracts for the upgrading of station buildings at certain major stations along the line have been advertised and awarded thus creating additional jobs.
Already as we speak Madam Speaker, there are 773 people employed and approximately R135m financial injection to the economy of the region, which will further enhance the project.
The Department proceeded with its efforts to address aspects of the road environment affecting traffic safety by conducting road safety audits.
The Department during the financial year 2003/2004 finalised the process of restructuring Government Motor Transport (GMT) with a view of transforming Government Garages and fleet management services into efficient delivery entities on a PPP basis.
In preparation for the challenging tasks to be undertaken this year;
The Department has re-aligned its programmes in accordance with the 2003 National Treasury Framework and reduced them from six (6) into three (3) service delivery programmes.
The new organisational structure will facilitate the creation of revenue collection posts thus more focus will now be on specialised ways and means of financial management.
A new Supply Chain Management system has been introduced with more emphasis on the development of the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) base.
At least 20% of its Departmental skills levy will focus on development of women and persons with disabilities. The department has launched a Maths and Science programme for students in grades 10-12, to build cadres for Civil Engineering in collaboration with the PE Technikon.
We will continue with the minimisation of the scourge of HIV and AIDS in the transport sector through prevention campaigns and care support.
An amount of R10 million has been allocated in this financial year for the building of two Vehicle Testing Stations at Maluti and Bizana; and R971 000 for the continuation of the upgrading process of Driving Licence Testing Centres.
Honourable Members of this house; I am pleased to inform you that the Department has already secured 6 trucks on a lease basis at approximately R1.65m, per year from Fleet Africa, for the sole purpose of stray animal control; therefore please ensure that your animals do not stray onto our roads, lest you be forced to pay heavy fines from your meagre allowances.
The Department has undertaken the use of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) to monitor these services commencing in this financial year. This initiative has been successful on three (3) buses in the Amatole, OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo districts. An amount of R19, 4 million has been allocated for new contracts to be effected in this financial year in order to sustain the operations of Public Transport service in the rural areas with special focus on the former Transkei region. The Department has allocated a preliminary amount of R20 million for the Restructuring of Mayibuye Transport Corporation.
We will strengthen our working relationship with Local Government structures more so on all multi-modal public transport infrastructural matters to incorporate the technical requirements for the proposed and larger New Taxi Vehicle (NTV).
The Department will support Taxi operators in their drive towards a formalized institution and Tax accountability with SARS for their members getting registered as tax payers and as such becoming responsible citizens.
Land transport planning is one of the core functions of the Department with our responsibilities specified in the National Land Transport Transition Act (NLTTA). I wish to briefly mention some of the initiatives that are under way and which will continue in this financial year.
Road signage to promote tourism routes throughout the Province has been designed in partnership with the Eastern Cape Tourism Board and is ready for implementation. A Strategy to guide systematic monitoring of traffic flows on strategic provincial roads in the Province has been developed for implementation with effect from this year.
Future Plans:
There is another planned fast train between Nelson Mandela Metro and Johannesburg and other road and rail linkages that are meant to change the face of the provincial economy. We also visualise the Kei Rail line being further extended to make a connection with KwaZulu-Natal in the near future. We further believe that current and planned feeder roads; like the Ugie-Langeni will link the Kei Rail line with the inland forestry plantations, rural villages and the coastal resorts of the former Transkei.
In the state of the nation address by President Thabo Mbeki, he announced that the first ship will be able to dock at the new Coega/Ngqurha Port by September next year. This announcement prompts us to expedite the continuous improvement of our transport infrastructure to meet world-class standards. World-class infrastructure underpins our efforts to drive economic development for all our people.
The 2010 Soccer World Cup to be held in South Africa is another challenging world showpiece, which would have great significance to the economy and the tourist potential of the Eastern Cape, and of course to the millions of supporters, players and administrators who will come to our province.
This requires ultra-modern and user-friendly transport system and infrastructure, including road and rail, to put us at the forefront of global excellence. A giant leap has already been taken towards that direction through the opening of the R30 million Port Elizabeth Airport's new terminal on 20 May 2004.
Conclusion
Madam Speaker and Hon. Members, for this democracy to have any meaning to our forefathers, our comrades in the struggle, our fallen heroes and heroines, our present and future children, we must all make constructive contributions to bring meaningful change to our people. Transport underlies our social, political; and economic fabrics. For all purposes we need efficient, cost effective, reliable and safe multi-modal transport systems. This year's proposed investments are a drop in the ocean given the magnitude of the infrastructural problems we face as this province. For us to bring a meaningful contribution towards the "Peoples Contract to create employment and fight poverty", the national and provincial wealth of our country shall be transferred to ownership of the people as a whole as highlighted in the Freedom Charter.
We will make sure that all these planned projects contribute to the restoration of the dignity of our people. We are fully aware that the challenge of reconstruction and development is huge and it requires all patriots to join hands, work as a collective and hasten the achievement of our vision of a better life for all. This requires total commitment and interaction between all spheres of Government, business, labour and organs of civil society.
The Department has developed the concept of transport forums to give opportunity to our communities to contribute in the development of policy direction and transformation of transport. Guidelines in this regard have been developed.
Another initiative to establish a forum where rail related issues affecting the province could be discussed has been welcomed by the relevant stakeholders and some preparatory meetings held in recent months. The establishment of the Eastern Cape Rail Committee will be formalised soon, and committee members will be appointed from relevant and critical stakeholders. The main objective of this committee will be to ensure maximum utilisation of existing facilities and cost effective-demand responsive planning in order to achieve a viable rail mode of transport in the Eastern Cape.
Madam Speaker, Indeed this Department will serve with HUMILITY, HONESTY and INTEGRITY, and under no circumstances shall we abandon the POOR and the DISADVANTAGED for we are the MOVING LINK.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
7 June 2004
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)
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