By Bosman Grobler MPL – Spokesperson on Finance & Economic Development
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is concerned that budget for the much awaited Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market (MIFPM) has been reduced by over R200 million. This may lead to another delay in completing the project.
While tabling the province’s adjustment budget speech in the Mpumalanga Legislature on Tuesday, provincial MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Pat Ngomane, confirmed that R213,2 of the R1.8 billion allocated for the MIFPM will be rescheduled. Ngomane did not state reasons behind the rescheduling. This may have a negative effect on the construction of the site.
The DA is very concerned that there is still no telling when the MIFPM will actually be completed and ready to do business as poor planning is said to be the reason why, after 6 years, there is still no structure on site except the foundations.
Unemployment in Mpumalanga currently stands at 42.5%, the highest it has been in 6 years. In order to stimulate Mpumalanga’s struggling economy and create much needed jobs, Finance and Economic Development MEC Pat Ngomane must ensure that all necessary steps to prevent further delays to the construction of the MIFPM are taken. Cutting the project’s budget is not a clever move.
On a separate note though, the DA welcomes the announcement that R173 million was added to the budget of the Department of Education. This money amongst other things: will be used for augmenting the supply of Leaner Teacher Support Materials (textbooks) in schools. The DA takes credit for this as we reported the education department to the Human Rights Commission recently after it came to our attention that they will not procure textbooks in 2019/2020 financial year because of accruals from previous years. This would have been in violation of thousands of learners’ right to education as basic human right goes hand in hand with the provision of textbooks.
The DA also welcomes the MEC’s announcement that R10 million will be allocated to the Provincial Youth Fund which aims to assist young people kick-start business ventures in order to alleviate the 32% youth unemployment rate in the province. MEC Ngomane summed it nicely when he said – “The youth are the future of this country and we must, as stakeholders from different sectors of the economy – recognise the urgency of the escalating youth unemployment as a national emergency.”
The DA will support any intervention that aims to deal with youth unemployment and youth development.
In terms of safety for healthcare workers and patients, we welcome the announcement that R5 million from the Health Department will be added to the Department of Community, Safety, Security and Liaison for the provision of additional security personnel for health facilities. Safety to healthcare workers and patients must not be compromised in health facilities. Just last week, a man being treated for gunshot wounds was fatally shot when his alleged attacker returned to finish him at the Witbank Hospital. Where was security there?