South Africa: Political party tables infrastructure plan

The DA on Monday tabled proposals seeking to promote more private sector involvement in South Africa’s infrastructure-build plan.

The proposals were aimed at “curbing the potential for large-scale corruption” related to big projects, Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said in a statement, distributed at a media briefing in Cape Town.

Among other things, the plan calls for government to enter into public-private partnerships to expand and upgrade the country’s information and communications technology.

This was “with a specific view to extending the availability, reach and competitiveness of broadband internet”.

On power production, the opposition party proposes decentralisation, through moving utility Eskom’s planning, power procurement, power purchasing and power contracting functions “to an independent system and market operator”.

It proposes that long-term coal policy in South Africa be based on a “scientific assessment” of its reserves and the development of a sustainable supply of domestic coal needs to power high rates of economic growth and rapid industrial development.

This should include consideration of “the intention of gradually reducing carbon intensity in the long term”.

On transport infrastructure, the DA proposes a process “of renewing the country’s entire freight rail fleet to expand capacity and enhance efficiency”. It calls for an increased transport infrastructure budget for the public transport network.

The DA proposes the establishment of large-scale desalination plants to augment the water needs of coastal cities.

Source: Sapa