/ 15 March 1999

PROVINCIAL OFFICES POSTPONED

THE Northern Province government will not build its government complex this year, as planned, but will continue renting offices, public works MEC Collins Chabane said on Monday. Construction has been postponed to allow more cost-effective building plans to be devised. This year’s R40-million budget for the complex will be reallocated to roads and other projects. The complex, expected to cost at least R400-million, was to have been built in 1996 but was never budgeted for. It will be built in Pietersburg and house the provincial cabinet but it will not have a legislative assembly — the existing assembly in the former homeland government complex in Lebowakgomo will be used. The provincial government is currently spending R45-million a year on office rental.