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Finance Minister’s confirmation to increase infrastructure budgets over the MTEF period to support economic growth and development welcomed

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Gqeberha, South Africa, 28 October 2022 – The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) announced today that it welcomes the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) intent to increase infrastructure spending to support economic growth and development, in the speech by the Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana. Moreover, Coega is reinvigorated that government will scale up efforts to build a viable project pipeline through the projects recommended in the Budget Facility for Infrastructure, provide resources for project preparation, and reforms to reorganise and streamline functions for expedited planning and procurement for public-private partnerships and blended finance projects, says Zuko Mqhatu, CDC Programme Director for Property Development and Management (PDM).

The Honourable Minister continued to say that the spending on building and other fixed structures is projected to increase from R66.7 billion in 2022/23 to R112.5 billion by 2025/26, at an annual average of 19 per cent over the medium term, and that this will include water-related projects, totaling R8.1 billion.

Therefore, Coega welcomes the confirmation that the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) programme management by National Treasury will also have the projects for water in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBM). The MTBPS indicates, amongst others, that “over the medium term, water services infrastructure will be upgraded. Additional funding will be allocated through the Budget Facility for Infrastructure for projects in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, Drakenstein Local Municipality, and the City of Johannesburg. Bulk water supply projects to be implemented by water boards will also receive funding.”

In this regard, Coega has worked pro-actively in packaging related projects, as part of the water sustainability infrastructure projects already in planning, and these include the construction of the Return Effluent (RE) Scheme that will comprise infrastructure upgrades in zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Coega SEZ for wastewater conveyance within the Coega Special Economic Zone, the construction of a 15 megalitre seawater desalination plant to augment the potable water supply to the SEZ and NMBM and the construction of a pipeline to convey industrial water from the Fishwater Flats Wastewater Treatment Works to the SEZ. The use of industrial quality water will reduce Coega’s reliance on the scarce potable water source for industrial uses. “The co-benefits of the Return Effluent Scheme relating to sustainable development are unquestionable in terms of advancing industrial symbiosis, water security, and circular economy”, says Maria van Zyl, CDC Senior Programme Manager.

Coega awaits detailed confirmation on the water projects in the NMBM, following the MTBPS by the Honourable Minister of Finance.

However, it is crucial to point out that “central to the implementation of the aforementioned water projects is Coega’s vision and strategy to realise water security through the implementation of socially responsible infrastructure, and utilising sustainable solutions for use of this very important natural resource. The solutions-driven water projects aim to pioneer sustainable socio-economic development through repurposing and future-proofing water security in line with the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan, while supporting job creation, skills development, SMME development, and inclusive economic growth to realise the objectives of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP),” says Telly Chauke, CDC Chief Sustainability Officer.

In conclusion, Coega congratulates the Honourable Minister of Finance on the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS). In addition, “we look forward to working with government to deepen state capacity over the MTEF period to support infrastructure projects, throughout the country. Moreover, as Coega is hard at work to transform public infrastructure, it will continue to partner and strengthen existing client relationships, diversify based on emerging new needs, and partner with government to expedite planning and execution of projects, nationally, concludes Mqhatu.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.