/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura says the provincial government is looking to raise infrastructure funding not only for human settlements but for other infrastructure needs such as transport, water and energy.

Addressing the Gauteng Infrastructure Funding Summit on Thursday, 04 May 2017, Makhura noted that the summit aims to attract additional private sector participation for the building of mega cities and raise over R30 billion in funding.

In mega city developments, government provides houses; schools; clinics and hospitals and commercial infrastructure like retail outlets and shopping centres.

Infrastructure development is a critical aspect for developing the Gauteng City Region in line with the fifth administration’s strategic thrust.

“In our province, we have the 15-year Infrastructure Master Plan.  Gauteng government needs R3 trillion to build new and maintain the existing infrastructure that we have.

“There are projects underway where we have already partnered with the private sector including areas such as industrial parks, energy and the government precinct,” said Makhura.

Premier Makhura noted that between 2013 and 2015, Gauteng government invested R30 billion in infrastructure.  Out of this investment 92 000 jobs were created. He said every R1 invested in infrastructure 92 cents went directly to stimulate the provincial economy.

In addition, the premier said that the Gauteng Provincial Government was spending 91% of its total procurement budget to boost more than 10 000 black enterprises.
He said over the next few years, the provincial government would spend R46 billion in infrastructure.  

He said it was through human settlements that Gauteng government will change the way the province look. 

Despite the highest numbers of houses being delivered in Gauteng, the backlog remained high at an estimated 600 000, but Makhura believes, the provincial mega housing projects will deal decisively with this housing backlogs. 

He added that government needed to do away with building houses in far-flung areas where there is no transport infrastructure and economic activities and deal decisively with the urban sprawl.

Also speaking at the summit, MEC for Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements, Paul Mashatile said the summit was providing an opportunity for the public private partnerships as a key developmental strategy going forward.

“The provincial government has noted that it can no longer continue to be the major player on its own in development of sustainable human settlement or be the major contributor towards the development of the economically viable new cities,” said Mashatile.

The summit is a precursor for the Gauteng Investment Infrastructure Conference that will take place in July this year.

Issued by the Gauteng Provincial Government