Pretoria — Cabinet has made a key decision to plough more resources into municipal infrastructure, especially for maintenance, says Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe.
Minister Radebe was briefing media on Monday in Pretoria following the Cabinet Lekgotla that was held last week. The Lekgotla, according to Minister Radebe, provided an opportunity for Cabinet to reflect on the implementation of government's programme of action and the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP).
Minister Radebe said an action plan to ensure greater expenditure on municipal infrastructure maintenance and to enforce proper financial asset management will be developed and implemented to extend the lifespan and quality of the infrastructure assets.
"Approximately R1.3 trillion of assets are at jeopardy because of maintenance. The issue of maintaining the infrastructure that we have plays a key role in advancing the agenda of the NDP, so the financial asset management in municipalities must be strengthened," said the Minister.
In line with the proper management of municipal infrastructure, the Minister said water saving and minimising water losses continues to be government's priority.
"By September 2016, agreements are to be complemented with municipalities with high water losses … and a clear funding model is to be completed," said the Minister.
Elections
The Minister also used the platform to congratulate South Africa for the peaceful, free and fair Local Government Elections, which took place on 3 August.
"Our view is that the elections were free and fair," he said.