Billions to be spent on South Africa’s Infrastructure: 2017 National Budget

Government will spend over R50 billion to fund national and provincial economic infrastructure requirements, according to the National Budget 2017 announced on Wednesday by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

In his 2017 budget estimate of national expenditure, Minister Gordhan, allocated the following to prioritise both national and provincial economic infrastructure:

The Provincial Road Maintenance Grant is allocated R10.8 billion in 2017/18, taking into account the increase in road traffic volumes.

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SANRAL receives R15.4 billion over the period ahead for strengthening and maintenance of the national road network, which now stands at 21 946 kilometers.

The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services receives R1.9 billion over the medium term to invest in high-speed internet connections in public buildings and schools in eight NHI pilot districts.

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The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa continues to implement its modernization and rolling stock renewal programme. Over the medium term, R16.7 billion is allocated for 70 new train-sets for Metrorail.

The development and operation of integrated public transport network, funded through the Public Transport Network Grant receives R6.2 billion in 2017/18.

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To support higher density housing, subsidies for social housing have been rationalized and R600 million over the medium term is reprioritized to Social Housing Regulatory Authority for investment in rental housing units.