Honourable Speaker, MEC’s, Members, officials from the department and guests
The Department of Infrastructure and Development in Gauteng is supposed to be the cornerstone of job creation and a stimulator for economic growth through infrastructure development in the province.
The Department was, however, conceived and born in sin, inheriting the result of poor management systems, a property portfolio with unknown extent thus making it virtually impossible to budget for maintenance and upgrading.
Since the department was formed in 2009, it had not less than three (3) MEC’s and three (3) heads of department.
Speaker
The fact that the financial year targets reflected in the 2013/14 annual performance plan of the department are lower compared to those of the previous financial year, is a concern because it will have a negative impact on client departments as far as construction, space planning and maintenance is concerned.
This will most certainly have an influence on the province ability to provide facilities for education and health.
The Premier of Gauteng indicated in her State of the Province Address that she is relying on this department to address the unemployment of the youth.
Speaker, I am however convinced that a department that under achieve its targets and overspend its budgets, with lower targets that the previous financial year, will not be able to fulfil this promise of the premier.
The Freedom Front Plus is of opinion that the department for Infrastructure and Development is not in a position to fulfil its mandate and to provide infrastructure and job opportunities that is necessary in Gauteng.
Thank you Speaker