The Free State will spend more than R10,6-billion on social and human development in this financial year, with the education department getting more than half of this, provincial finance minister Tate Makgoe said on Wednesday.
”This accounts for some 80% of the provincial budget,” said Makgoe in delivering the Free State’s budget for 2007/08 in Bloemfontein.
He said the department of education will get a proposed allocation of R5,6-billion.
”Critical matters the education budget would address are, among others, the implementation of no-fee schools and addressing the backlog with regard to social infrastructure, thus contributing towards poverty alleviation.”
The health department will get R3,6-billion, which includes a 30% increase for emergency medical services (EMS), which will get R183,13-million.
Makgoe said the EMS budget will grow to R299,48-million in the 2009/10 financial year in preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
The upward adjustments over the next three years are for the implementation of training programmes for EMS personnel and additional EMS posts. Ambulance communication systems will be improved, as will vehicle replacement to ensure that all ambulances and emergency vehicles are in a good condition to deal with any eventualities that may occur during the World Cup, Makgoe said.
The province also expects to allocate R2,14-billion to the ”priority area” of accelerated growth, economic development and employment in this financial year.
Makgoe said the department of public works, roads and transport will get more than R1,4-billion as it is one of the most important pillars of the Free State’s development objectives.
The province has budgeted R7-million for the establishment of the long-awaited Free State Investment Promotion Agency, which will focus on attracting foreign direct investment to the province.
It has also set aside R3,5-million for the development of an integrated management plan for the Vredefort Dome, a World Heritage Site. — Sapa