Manuel gives generously for infrastructure upgrades

Coega IDZ scores its share ED RICHARDSON FINANCE MINISTER Trevor Manuel’s 2005 Medium Term Budget Policy includes a declaration that more infrastructure financial support is required in the Coega Industrial Development Zone. “It is clear that major strategic investments of this kind cannot be undertaken within the confines of the provincial equitable share of revenue and the existing conditional grants,” he said. Other areas in the Eastern Cape that Manuel identified for infrastructural investment include the coastal Eastern Cape highway project, where major bridges are being built by the South African National Roads agency, as well as upgrades at ports and airports that will require support from the Ports Authority and the Airports Company of South Africa. Manuel’s mid-year budget speech, which was presented to the National Assembly last week, placed emphasis firmly on the need for greater growth and broadened economic participation in the country. This will be facilitated partly by national infrastructural developments for which R1.1 billion has been budgeted. “Our growth initiative realises that capacity and systems must be upgraded in our freight logistics sector, that we need to see lower prices and greater competition in telecommunications,” said Manuel. Research and development were also areas identified for further investment. As for SA’s preparation for the 2010 World Cup, R242‑million will be distributed among municipalities for infrastructure developments while a further R241.5million has been proposed for Sport and Recreation. This should complete the planning and design work as well as prompt construction of stadiums that have been identified for the 2010 World Cup. Manuel says that the Treasury Committee has recommended that R40,7million be shared by the Eastern and Western Cape for emergency infrastructure repairs and that R20-million should go towards farmers in the Eastern and Western Cape affected by the Classical Swine Fever Outbreak.