The Gauteng government plans to accelerate spending on infrastructure and social services in the next three years.
Tabling the provincial medium-term budget policy statement to the Gauteng legislature on Tuesday, provincial minister for finance and economic affairs Paul Mashatile said more than R17-billion has been set aside over the next three years to fund capital expenditure in the province.
He added that over the same period R1,3-billion has been committed to funding projects identified in terms of the provincial growth and development strategy.
“The increased allocation we are setting aside for capital expenditure underscores our commitment to accelerating growth, creating jobs and reducing poverty,” said Mashatile.
He said over the next three years, funding will be directed towards projects that will serve as catalysts to increased economic growth and job creation.
Key priorities include the roll-out of sites that provide anti-retroviral treatment to HIV/Aids patients, and the continuation of the HIV/Aids prevention programmes; support for small, medium and micro enterprises; and the upgrading of amenities in 20 targeted townships across Gauteng.
Announcing the adjusted budget for the 2005/06 financial year, which saw provincial expenditure being revised from R33,4-billion to R34,3-billion, Mashatile said the departments of health, education and social development, as well as departments responsible for infrastructure such as transport, roads and works, will be allocated additional funding for the current financial year.
The additional allocations will fund spending pressures experienced by these departments and will ensure that departments meet their delivery targets for the current financial year, he said. — I-Net Bridge