The Gauteng province has set aside funding over the next three years for the Gauteng Broadband Network initiative as it seeks to roll out a massive infrastructure programme as SA moves towards 2055.
The Gauteng MEC for Finance, Mandla Nkomfe, this morning tabled the 2013/14 budget in the Legislature and said the province had identified infrastructure development as a catalyst for growth.
"Infrastructure development has been identified as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation. As the provincial government, we share this believe and this is why we have set aside a budget of R25 billion over the next three years towards infrastructure investments."
Nkomfe presented a R76.9 billion budget and said it sought to deliver the "necessary actions to restore strength and stability to our finances so we can be prepared and have the capacity to act further if needed. We need to build capacity to weather the incoming storms."
Moving towards 2055, Gauteng seeks to roll out "massive infrastructure" programmes, such as building of roads; building of and refurbishment of schools and hospitals; and connecting our people through the Gauteng Broadband initiative, says Nkomfe.
The finance department has been allocated R5 million in 2013/14; R5.3 million in 2014/15 and R5.6 million in 2015/16 for the establishment and operations of the project management office for the province-wide broadband project.
In January, Gauteng's ambitious broadband project kicked off, with a tender calling for the development and maintenance of a province-wide broadband network that will incorporate 1 600km of high-speed fibre. The initiative aims to provide coverage to 95% of the province's population.
The objective of the request for proposals is to enable the provincial government to achieve strategic broadband objectives under its Gauteng Link (G-Link) project, which includes digital inclusion.
G-Link, previously known as the Blue Umbrella project, has been on the cards since around 2008, but stalled over recent years.
Last February, Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane said the province was rolling out the G-Link Project with the plan to cover 95% of the province. In the middle of the year, the province said Deloitte Consulting had been appointed to assist with a roadmap.
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