Mokoyane: Gautrain on track

2009-11-27 20:30

Johannesburg - Part of the Gautrain should be completed by June 27, 2010, Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said in Johannesburg on Friday.

"All construction work on Gautrain is proceeding well and we are confident that the project will be completed within the agreed time frames," she said in a speech prepared for delivery at a special legislature sitting.

"In terms of the contract we have signed with Bombela, the first phase, which is the link between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton, will be completed by 27 June 2010, and the rest will be completed in 2011.

"Gautrain will become the backbone of a modern, integrated and inter-modal transport system for Gauteng. When it is completed it will link up with all other modes of transport to provide safe, reliable and convenient public transport."

Will need R1bn to complete project

Earlier this week it was reported that the department asked for the completion date to be brought forward by a month, but this would cost over R1bn, which the province said it would not be able to raise from the Treasury.

The government considered it a "bonus" if the link was operational in time, but it would not pay extra to accelerate the construction, it said.

Mokonyane said that overall, the province would have to find alternative means of funding development as it would not get more from the National Treasury.

"Over the next three years the Gauteng provincial government will spend R40bn," she said.

Finding funding for plans

This would not be enough for the provision of bulk infrastructure and other social infrastructure.

"But with the current economic situation we are not going to get any additional funding from National Treasury. We therefore need to find creative alternative means to fund infrastructure projects in Gauteng."

The executive council is exploring various funding models to get private sector capital to provide funding for strategic and key infrastructure projects. The current municipal uncollected debt is R22bn, which the legislature wants to reduce by 2014.

The proposed Gauteng Funding Agency would provide a single point through which the provincial government and municipalities could raise capital from various sources.

Other priorities included reducing the backlog in learner licence applications, building more testing stations, food security and rural development projects and the development of economically and racially integrated communities.

They also have a plan to fill teaching vacancies and refurbish another 14 schools by January 2010.

The HIV/Aids plan aims to halve new HIV infections in Gauteng, as well as prevent death from Aids by extending treatment, care and support to 80% of people with HIV.
 

- SAPA