Masualle to present list of priorities
All eyes will be on premier Phumulo Masualle today as he presents his state of province address, details of which will serve as a guide for the ANC-led government’s priorities this year.
His commitment to invest more than R30-billion towards a revamp of provincial infrastructure during his maiden speech as premier last June will be the subject of scrutiny.
Masualle, last year, committed to upgrade several rural roads and revive rail links between East London, Mdantsane, Berlin and King William’s Town.
He also committed to upgrading several national roads, and inject R10-billion into electrifying villages and townships.
Opposition parties said unemployment, corruption and crime remained key areas Masualle would need to address.
A Daily Dispatch report earlier this week revealed that the first Annual Eastern Cape Labour Market Market Review showed 70% of Eastern Cape youths aged between 19 and 24 are unemployed.
The report found that half of those employed in the province were earning less than the minimum wage.
The DA’s provincial leader, Athol Trollip said unemployment in the country “has become a curse”.
“Not only does it directly affect those who deal with this harsh reality on daily basis. It places strain on whole families and demoralises our youth, who, whilst attending school and studying at institutions of higher learning have this bleak future ahead of them,” he said.
UDM chief whip Thando Mpulu said Masualle had spoken about the “radical transformation of the economy” in his maiden speech.
“Our understanding is that to date there has never been any move in ensuring that there is indeed radical change of the economy,” said Mpulu.
COPE Bhisho leader Lievie Sharpley said it was critical Masualle set clear targets and realisable commitments on how to deal with unemployment.
“Job creation will have to be one of the most important priorities in his speech,” he said.
When it came to education, Trollip said the province was still battling to deal with teacher shortages, while Sharpley said the shortage of scholar transport for thousands of rural pupils was of concern. “In the Port St Johns areas, you still have pupils who walk more than 20km between school and their homes,” he said.
The Dispatch reported last month that the department of transport was unable to transport 39000 qualifying pupils.
Mpulu said it was important for Masualle to rehash his plans on centralising procurement.
“We have always been asking which sector is he going to centralise? Our understanding is that the centralisation of procurement hinders service delivery in most departments,” said Mpulu.