Mr Speaker, I rise today in support of the Department of Transport and Public Works Budget 2013/2014 in the amount of R4 639 226 000, rising to R5 038 029 000 and R5 975 764 000 in the outer years of the MTEF.
The administration vision which informs the structuring of this Budget is that of creating an open opportunity society for all so that people can live lives they value.
The departmental mission is to develop and maintain appropriate infrastructure and related services for sustainable economic development which generates growth in jobs and facilitates empowerment and opportunity.
This provision and maintenance of infrastructure is the core responsibility of the Department.
When a state fails to maintain its assets, it fails as a state – functionally, economically, politically and socially – and eventually descends into chaos, as is happening in much of South Africa.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in the failure of rail, which is driving more and more freight and passengers onto roads that are less and less capable of sustaining their increased loads.
Whilst the Province has been able to maintain its roads, it is not able to influence the policy and action of a national government presiding over the steady deterioration of its most important mobility asset.
Our departmental imperative is to deliver our mandated services to our 6 million provincial citizens, and particularly to those 2 million who live below the poverty datum line.
Core Functions
Our vision and mission dictate the seven core functions of this Department:
Read the full 2013 Department of Transport and Public Works Budget Speech.
2013/2014 Vote 10: Department of Transport and Public Works Budget Document.
Siphesihle Dube
Media Liaison Officer
Ministry of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 8954
Cell: 084 233 3811
E-mail: Siphesihle.Dube@westerncape.gov.za