Source: Department of Public Works
Title: Sigcau: Address to NCOP on infrastructure as tool for development
SPEECH BY THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS, MS STELLA SIGCAU, TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES, 26 February 2003
INFRASTRUCTURE AS A TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WITH REFERENCE TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AND OTHER PUBLIC WORKS INITIATIVES
Infrastructure investment
The National Infrastructure Investment Report indicated that South Africa currently faces a backlog in infrastructure of at least R170 billion.
Public infrastructure needs include both domestic and industrial infrastructure. Infrastructure includes everything that is called the built environment such as buildings of all types, bridges, roads, dams, railway lines, airports, stations, monuments, telecommunication and electricity infrastructure; agricultural water supplies, sanitation, waste water and storm water - It also includes urban housing related infrastructure, rural development, hospitals, clinics, and educational facilities, courts, police stations, prisons - the list is endless.
I am mentioning all of these different types so that when we talk of the backlog in infrastructure we all appreciate the enormity of the task ahead of us, and the backlog that runs into many billions.
Investment, development and progress in all these areas add to the quality of life in communities, while simultaneously building productive economic capacity. The provision of basic household infrastructure, in particular, is a relatively low cost and effective form of public intervention in favour of the poor and consistent with the reduction of income inequalities.
Initiatives have been taken to align public social infrastructure investment. Nationally, housing subsidies, land development grants, local transport upgrading and community water supply and sanitation schemes are being aligned with the municipal infrastructure programme. Including provincial governments, through which funds are allocated, criteria for priority spending are being defined.
Social infrastructure creation is incorporated in the Spatial Development Initiative, where economic infrastructure is upgraded to ensure private sector investment.
Investment in social infrastructure might start with what appears to be small like a cr
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