Durban — Siboniso Duma, in his capacity as the MEC for Transport, has drawn the line vowing it was the end of the road for the few monopoly construction companies who benefited from government contracts.
Duma, also chairperson of the ANC, delivered his inaugural R13 billion budget vote on Thursday in the provincial legislature.
“We need to change the mindset of using African people as labour and components of subcontracting when the cartel is securing big government contracts. We want to see more African contractors and consultants become billionaires and millionaires. We want to see them as employers rather than being employed,” said Duma.
He said transforming the patterns of the economy was one of the key strategic tasks of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) and its mother body, the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Digging in his heels, Duma said: “The time to end the monopoly of a few construction companies awarded road construction projects is now. We can bring a positive change by fast-tracking emerging entrepreneurs into the construction sector.
“Before the end of this financial year, we will convene an emerging contractor indaba to assist emerging businesses in accessing transport work. We are unapologetic about setting aside for all SMMEs. We want to accelerate economic reforms to unlock economic progress for previously disadvantaged groups such as women, youth, persons with disabilities, and military veterans.”
He said the government’s commitment to driving economic transformation and integration was “unwavering”.
Tabling the budget, Duma said: “This is more than a financial figure; it is a commitment to progress. This budget will directly impact the lives of our citizens, improving their daily commutes, creating job opportunities, and enhancing their overall quality of life.”
The department’s key priorities, he said, were driving inclusive economic growth and job creation, tackling poverty and the high cost of living, and lastly, building a capable, ethical and developmental state.
This is in line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s calls for the GNU, he said.
Speaking on the uncharted terrain of the GPU, Duma said: “This government (GPU) comprises parties that have agreed to set aside their political differences, demonstrating a united front to move this province forward. It is imperative that we depart from the traditional way of doing things.
“We must be more intuitive and agile and work with a sense of urgency in delivering services to the people. This commitment to progress and unity in the government should inspire hope and confidence in the future,” he said.
Amid the trail of destruction left by the raging floods in KZN, Duma said over R3.7 billion would go into constructing new infrastructure like roads and bridges.
An amount of R4bn, he announced, would be set aside to maintain the road network.
Duma said 31 bridges had been completed.
“In addition, over R58 million will go into infrastructure planning and design, with over R920 million being allocated to support programmes within transport infrastructure,” he said.
Duma added that R828m would be channelled to the administrative wing of the department, which included reducing the vacancy rate, finalising the organisational structure, professionalising public service and improving audit outcomes.
Over R113 million would be spent reviving the rural road transport forums, a vital link between the department and the communities they represent.
He sternly warned road users who flouted rules and regulations, saying the department was reclaiming a zero-tolerance province.
“As part of the seventh administration, we want to revive our enforcement agencies and reclaim this province as a zero-tolerance one,” he said.
A law enforcement imbizo comprising the Road Traffic Inspectorate, Public Transport Enforcement Services (Shanela) and other stakeholders would be convened next month, promised Duma.
R4 billion of the budget was earmarked to maintain the roads – including fixing potholes – that were cited as the cause of some fatal road crashes.
The department’s public transport system got a R2 billion slice of the budget.
As part of inspiring the hope for a better future, Duma said his department funnelled R278 million towards the learner transport programme for destitute pupils who walked over 3km to school.
This budget will cover 402 schools, benefiting 74 731 pupils, he said.
Further, Duma said the department was fast-tracking resolving tensions between warring taxi operators in the KZN, which were deadly at times.
“In the last month, our team successfully mediated to end disputes over taxi routes among members of the Ulundi Mahlabathini Association and the Ikhwezi Local and Long-Distance Taxi Association in Phongola.”
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