DURBAN - KWAZULU-NATAL Premier Sihle Zikalala has called for the government to ensure that it puts money aside for the maintenance of infrastructure.
Zikalala said it was worrying that the government builds infrastructure worth billions of rand, only for it to fall apart because there is no money to keep it in a good condition.
Speaking at the handover of the Pholela High School in Bulwer, Zikalala said the government at all levels should be ring-fencing maintenance budgets to cater for the regular and scheduled maintenance of public infrastructure.
The premier’s office in a statement said that the Pholela High School was refurbished at a cost of R90 million.
The premier’s comments come as the Department of Education has been under pressure to keep schools in good condition, with its infrastructure budget being placed under pressure leaving it unable to maintain schools.
Zikalala said it was not enough to build new infrastructure, but then fail to maintain it. He said since 1994, the government had delivered social and economic infrastructure worth hundreds of billions of rand.
He said the challenge, however, remained with regards to maintaining the infrastructure especially schools, clinics and sports fields.
“We are handing over a refurbished Pholela High School to celebrate the attainment of the dream of a few, which through the actions of many, is now set to benefit generations to come.
“Working together with the provincial government, these key stakeholders – business, the local community, former pupils and the current pupils – join in the realisation of this dream.
“What we learn from the example of Pholela High School and similar structures is the need to make provision in our budgets for maintenance. During the State of the Province Address this year, we identified this vital cog in the management of our assets as key to continued delivery of services by local government,” he said.
THE MERCURY