During the first quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year, the Free State government spent just 10% of its 25% target on infrastructure.
Reports tabled in the Free State Public Accounts Committee show that the departments responsible for infrastructure development are unable to effectively execute planned projects.
Year after year, the Free State government drags its feet with launching critical infrastructure projects during the first three months of the new financial year.
Inadequate spending during the reporting period has already had a direct impact on service delivery. At this rate of spending, the province will not meet its targets for the financial year.
The Department of Human Settlements is the biggest culprit when it comes to underspending. Essential housing projects reached less than 3% of the 25% target. Contractors are appointed, but they just never complete the work.
The Department is notorious for annually having to return unspent grants to the National Treasury.
The FF Plus is of the opinion that Human Settlements should close its doors because it is failing to fulfil its mandate, and it is nothing but a burden for the province.
Community Safety, Roads and Transport spent only 9% of the 25% target of its road-maintenance grant. Meanwhile, the province’s roads keep decaying and are becoming more and more dangerous.
The Department of Health and Education, respectively, reached only 19% and 15% of their targets.
Although the Free State government recognises that infrastructure creates favourable circumstances to bring socio-economic relief, it is clear that the ANC is utterly unable to execute it.
The ruling party is determined to continue with its policy of Black Economic Empowerment, Affirmative Action and cadre deployment even though it is clearly doing only harm.
