Premier
Question by:
Hon Nobulumko Nkondlo
Answered by:
Hon Alan Winde
Question Number:
15
Question Body:
With regard to the dedicated Infrastructure Agency announced by the Premier during the 2021 State of the Province Address
- (a) What are the (i) details and (ii) terms of reference of this infrastructure agency and (b) what steps have been taken to establish this agency;
- whether any progress has been made on the appointment of the panel of infrastructure experts referred to by the Premier; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) what are the costs associated with it;
- whether there is any concept document that is available about this Infrastructure Agency, if not, why not, if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) can a copy be made available;
- (a) how will the agency be funded, (b) how much will the government contribute, (c) when will the infrastructure agency be fully established and (d) what is the proposed institutional structure;
- whether the infrastructure agency will have any relations with national and local spheres of government, if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
Answer Body:
- (a)(i) It is envisaged that an infrastructure agency will be formed as a Schedule 3D public entity in terms of the Public Finance Management Act. This would enable the agency to hold assets as well as borrow money which will help to accelerate infrastructure projects and grow the economy.
(ii) The mandate (terms of reference) for the envisaged agency is the subject of technical work which has not yet been finalised.
(b) The proposal is at an early stage. The terms of reference are being developed to undertake the necessary technical research and develop proposals around the Agency.
- (a) A request for proposals to establish a panel of suitably qualified professionals to advise the Provincial Treasury on identifying, attracting and retaining alternative financing for the roll-out of public sector economic and social Infrastructure is under consideration by the Departmental Bid Adjudicating Committee (DBAC).
(b) It is estimated that a panel of infrastructure experts will cost about R1.5 million for the 2021/22 financial year.
- (a)and (b) Proposals for the Agency are still at concept development stage and have not yet been documented. The envisaged research should be completed during the current financial year.
- (a), (b) and (c) Proposals around these issues will be developed based on the outcome of the research to be undertaken.
- This will be determined as part of the research to be undertaken.
Date:
Friday, March 26, 2021
