(Debate in parliament: Adjustment Budget for Department of Transport)
To grow South Africa's economy, infrastructure development and maintenance are needed so as to create a favourable environment for the private sector to create jobs and attract investments. The Department of Transport plays a crucial role in all this.
Considering the current state of the country's transport infrastructure, it is clear that the much-needed economic stimulation cannot realise once lockdown comes to an end.
The Department's emergency budget is prioritised to only meet the short-term needs brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is socially orientated and does not focus on long-term sustainable growth.
It is evident from the Department's annual performance plan that the Department is not blind to its many challenges. It is, however, also clear that the Department did not read its own plan before compiling its adjustment budget.
A serious cause for concern that does not bode well for the future post Covid-19, is the fact that R2,6 billion less was allocated to the road transport programme. Provincial allocations for road maintenance were also reduced by R1,8 billion.
And there is already a serious problem with the maintenance of provincial roads due to Covid-19. These reductions in allocations will have a drastic influence on the country's ability to recover economically.
According to the Department, traffic safety is one of the most urgent issues that modern society worldwide, and within the South African context, is faced with. By 2030, traffic accidents are expected to be the fifth greatest cause of death worldwide and by then it will have surpassed Aids and TB.
In 2014, approximately 23,5 out of every 100 000 people died in car accidents. That is an average of 45 people per day. Recently, alcohol was once again banned because hospitals are flooded with alcohol-related emergencies that could have been avoided. If 45 people die on our roads every day, we surely have no choice but to invest in road traffic and safety programmes.
The budget cut of R1 billion for both public transport and railways is extremely irresponsible in light of the current climate crisis and global warming.
The focus must be on offering safe and reliable public transport systems to commuters and for the transport of bulk goods and encouraging people to make use of these systems to ultimately reduce the world's carbon footprint.
The Department of Transport is a significant department, but without the necessary political will and correct priorities, it is nothing more than just another pothole in the road to ruin for South Africa.
Contact details: 082 490 6663
;
