Budget speech: Department of Public Works and Roads delivered by Honourable member of Executive Council Mr. M. Sambatha
Introduction
Honourable Speaker of the Legislature and Deputy Speaker’
Honourable Premier Supra Mahumapelo;
Honourable members of the Executive Council;
Members of the Legislature;
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Roads;
Chairperson of the Jouse of Traditional leaders-Kgosi Zibi and Dikgosi tsa setshaba;
Director-General;
Head of Department Mr. Pakiso Mothupi;
Members of Senior Management of the Department;
Organised Labour and Political formations;
The Business Fraternity;
Non -governmental organisations;
Fellow Citizens;
Honourable guests; and
Friends from the media
Honourable Speaker and Members,
I rise to present this Budget Vote informed by the following realities – sluggish economic growth; a decline in tax revenues and a government that is cutting costs to live within its means.
Ordinary village men and women, workers at shop floor levels in mines and factories, youth in townships,small businesses in Small Towns and here in the City of Mahikeng, farmers and former Military Veterans; across the province at all levels are asking pressing questions. They want trafficable roads; they want job opportunities; they want economic opportunities; Madam Speaker they want to participate and contribute in the Bokone Bophirima's Economy.
On the other hand, I rise, Madam Speaker inspired by Chris Hani when he said “I've never wanted to spare myself because I feel there are people who are no longer do I have to hold back, to rest, to preserve my health, toaround and died for this struggle. What right have time with my family, when there are other people who are no longer alive – when they sacrificed what is precious: namely life itself”.
People of Bokone Bophirima,
A better life for all is the driving force for all we do in this Budget Speech. Regardless of obstacles, opposition, and other counter influences, we draw inspiration from Chris Hani, Solomon Mahlangu and Oliver Tambo and we will not spare ourselves.
The Department of Public Works and Roads like all sector departments country wide has the following programmes that inform its operations: -
- Administration
- Public Works
- Roads Infrastructure
- Community Based Programme
Key achievements in brief
People of Bokone Bophirima, it is my pleasure to report that the Department during the 2016/17 Financial Year appointed a permanent Head of Department as well as the Chief Director: Transport Infrastructure and Director: Roads Implementation.
Under the Community Based Programme, the Expanded Public Works Programme projects implemented by the department have created 4, 163 work opportunities province wide through National Youth Service, Itirele Road Maintenance, Buildings Maintenance and Cooperatives Development Programme.
The Department has completed the construction of the 2-way Bridge in Kolong Village in Greater Taung in the Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District that connects the 2 Small Dorpies namely Taung to Schweizer-Renecke to the tune of R 84 million. Linked to this project, the department successfully delivered 5 houses for 5 families that were relocated due to their original houses being on the way of the new development. The construction of these houses was ably done by our own internal teams while materials, tools, protective clothing and wages for the 40 local workers cost R 8.26 million. Full speech (PDF).
