More money allocated for transport infrastructure

MEC Willies Mchunu delivered his department's Budget Vote Speech in Pietermaritzburg yesterday. 

Mchunu said more focus has gone into developing rural communities through the allocation of more than 73% of the total budget to the construction and maintenance of roads infrastructure.

"Improving road and transport infrastructure is central to the developmental of the provincial and country's economy to which we allocate a massive a R7 billion, of this R3.6 billion is for maintenance and R3.1 billion for construction of new roads," he said.   

Mchunu says an estimated R4.5 billion is required to meet the transport needs of all pupils travelling more than six kilometres to and from school.

R186 billion has been allocated for the 2016/2017 financial year.  

From this, the department will provide scholar transport to 43 990 children.

"The demand far exceeds the supply. Learner transport support is critical to ensure access to education and learner safety. 

"Already the provincial executive has directed the departments of Transport, Education and Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs to explore a model of phasing out the use of bakkies," he said.

(Photo: Khatija Nxedlana)