The Gauteng province has spent R939-million on education infrastructure in the 2014/15 financial year, Gauteng Infrastructure Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza said.

“We undertook various programmes for the Gauteng Department of Education, namely the new infrastructure programme, rehabilitation and refurbishment, upgrading and additions, which includes fencing, Grade R, septic tanks and upgrades of full service schools,” MEC Mayathula-Khoza said.

Announcing the latest health and education capital expenditure for the province in Johannesburg on Monday, she said that all 11 schools that are currently under construction will be ready for learners by January 2016.

“We completed restorative repair projects at seven schools namely; Amogelang LSEN School, Minerva Secondary School, Phuthanang Primary School, Thuthong Secondary School, Tiyelelani Secondary School, Khutso AET School and Reneilwe Primary School,” MEC Mayathula-Khoza said.

She said the province had spent R716 million of its R1 050-billion on health infrastructure for the 2014/15 financial year.

“It…. gives us a great sense of achievement to note that all projects on health infrastructure that we had committed to at the beginning of the term are either completed or currently committed.

“Amongst those completed are the renovations and refurbishment of Tshwane District Hospital Wards as well as the installation of additional Oxygen and Vacuum Points in Neo Natal and Maternity at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital,” MEC Mayathula-Khoza said.

Last week, the supply and installation of a Chiller Plant and Air Handling Units at the Pretoria West Hospital was completed.

“This now makes way for the opening of theatres that were closed. Also completed is the construction of the new blood bank at the Tembisa Hospital,” she said.

The province has finalised contracting for Finetown Clinic renovations and construction is underway.

Work for upgrading and developing some facilities has started.

“These are part of National Health Insurance (NHI) Pilot Phase: Soshanguve Block JJ Clinic (NHI) P2, New Kekana Gardens Clinic (NHI) P2, New Inner City CHC (NHI) P1 New Kanana Clinic (NHI) P1, and New Dewagendrift Clinic (NHI) P2,” MEC Mayathula-Khoza said.

Other projects where construction was progressing well included Boikutsong Community Day Care Clinic and Bonalesedi Nursing College.

The construction of Charlotte Maxeke Revitalization of Staff Residences - Blocks A, D & E, Natalspruit Staff Residence had commenced with the contractor on site.

The construction of the New Lillian Ngoyi District Hospital has been approved and construction is expected to commence in the next financial year.

In terms of the social development infrastructure budget, the province has spent R11 million of its R36 million budget.

“We have completed renovations of adult swimming pools at Roodeplaat Training Centre, fencing at training centre at Roodeplaat Training Centre, walking trail benches at the Roodeplaat Nature Reserve and mesh on windows at the Roodeplaat Training Centre,” she said.