The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport is set to spend the bulk of its budget on upgrading and maintaining provincial road networks.

Tabling the Provincial Budget recently, Finance MEC Belinda Scott allocated the Transport Department R10 billion, R10.4 billion and R11.1 billion budget over the 2018/19 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

MEC Scott announced that various projects will be undertaken over the MTEF, including the construction of new gravel roads, new blacktop roads, new cause ways and new pedestrian and vehicle bridges, among others.

“The department will continue to mainstream the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) into its work to achieve its target of 58 260 work opportunities in 2018/19. This will be done by increasing its focus on labour intensive construction. In this regard, R200 million worth of projects will be implemented using labour-intensive construction,” MEC Scott said.

R3.6b for housing provision

The Department of Human Settlements received a R3.6 billion allocation. The department’s main purpose is the provision of housing to various sectors of the population, including rural areas and informal settlements.

MEC Scott said the bulk of the funding is provided via the Human Settlements Development Grant.

She said the continued focus on slums clearance projects remains a provincial priority, and it is anticipated that these projects will provide alternative and permanent housing for 134 601 families currently living in slums.

“About 24 522 units are expected to be built over the MTEF, and this include some 4 110 units expected to be completed in 2018/19 financial year,” MEC Scott said.