The MEC for Finance in the North West, Louisa Mabe, today tabled the provincial budget amounting to R24-billion for 2011 fiscal year before the provincial legislature.

The big chunk of the budget went to the Departments of Education and Training, which received R10-billion and Health received R6 billion.

The funds include the finalisation of Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) related expenditure in 2011/12. The infrastructure grant increases to R469,967-million in the new financial year .The allocation caters for increased demand for enrolment at Further Education Training College.

The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport received R2-billion to, among others, speed up delivery of roads and government building maintenance.

Other allocations were as follows:
Office of the Premier R 234-million
provincial legislature R151-million
Sport Arts and Culture R 433-million
Economic Development, environment, Conservation and Tourism R455-million
Finance R331-million
Local Government and Traditional Affairs R 317-million
Social development, Women, Children and People with disabilities R887-million
Agriculture and Rural development R758-million
Human Settlement, Public Safety and Liaison, R1,6-billion

Mabe said the province will introduce a “no plan, no budget, use it or lose it” principle to address under-spending as well as improve spending on core priorities.

Mabe said the province analysed the budget to assess its impact on job creation. She indicated that of the R16-billion available for job creation over the MTEF, only R5-billion was available for the new financial year.

“As a province, we are expected to create labour intensive jobs in the next financial year by employing more women, youth and people with disabilities.

“Our people must actively participate in the economy through employment that can contribute towards self-fulfillment and self-esteem. Having a job in life gives one dignity and self-fulfillment,” said Mabe.

– BuaNews