Honourable Chairperson,

Minister,

Deputy Minister and Members

In his State of the Nation Address, the President stated that infrastructure investment was a key priority of the National Development Plan (NDP).

The Department of Public Enterprises plays a key role in contributing to the achievement of the main objectives of the NDP, which are to grow the economy, reduce poverty and increase employment.

The Department will contribute to the objectives of the NDP through Eskom’s build programme and Transnet’s Capital Expenditure programme that will improve industrial capabilities, provide sustainable jobs and improve the productive capacity of the economy.

Long term growth and investment requires a shared vision, trust and cooperation between government, business and labour. We therefore must look into more public private partnerships as these will ultimately benefit South Africa.

Over the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) period, the Department will seek to achieve strategic objectives and I want to highlight two of them.

    The promotion of good corporate governance; and
    Economic Infrastructure Investment to enhance the capacity of the economy with emphasis on the Strategic Integrated Projects.

The 2014-2019 MTSF focuses on Infrastructure Development as an enabler of future economic growth.

This infrastructure expansion relies heavily on state owned enterprises, Transnet and Eskom, in particular.

The Department must focus their attention and support on all rail and ports, on accelerating Capital Programmes for Eskom and Transnet, and improving the performance management of the boards and executives of these companies.

Transnet is steadily making strides in catching up on decades of under-investment in South Africa’s freight system and in driving operating efficiencies to match the world best practices.

Transnet has to increase tonnage moved on rail from 307 mega tonnes to 330 mega tonnes by 2019 and has to improve operational performance of sea ports and in-land terminals.

One of the Strategic Integrated Projects in the Medium Term Strategic Framework is the Saldanha – Northern Cape development corridor that is in my Constituency.

Since the seventies, National Government has promised to invest in the West Coast.

The people of the West Coast are excited about the capital investment to come as well as the promised job opportunities. It has taken till now for this investment to materialise.

Transnet has a 7 year capital investment plan of R 336 billion in this project.

Saldanha will benefit by the further expansion of the Export Iron Ore channel from 60 mega tonnes to 70 and thereafter to be done incrementally in line with the customer demands.

Transnet National Ports Authority will invest in Key Infrastructure Projects in the port of Saldanha, which include the refurbishment of the General Maintenance Quay that will focus on the oil and gas supply base and a rig repair facility.

An Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) was proclaimed in Saldanha Bay, just behind the Transnet operations and harbour, which will also contribute to Economic Development in the area.

Agbare Voorsitter

Wat egter kommerwekkend is, is die voorblad berig hierdie afgelope Sondag, 10 Mei 2015 in die Rapport.

Dit is n treinramp!

Die Passasierspooragentskap van Suid Afika (PRASA) se tender van R 51 miljard vir die nuwe treinwaens is in die weegskaal.  Dit blyk dat die bodprys vir die lewering van die waens in die plaaslike vervaardigingskringe as te laag en onvolhoubaar beskou word.

Die kontrak is vir die lewering van die 3600 treinwaens, of te wel 600 treinstelle van 6 waens elk.

Volgens die tenderkontrak moet 65% van die onderdele wat gebruik word, van plaaslike vervaardigers kom, maar dat daar ernstige probleme is.

Hier is duidelik n probleem om aan al die tendervoorwaardes te voldoen en ek versoek die Minister om asseblief hierop feitelik te reageer.

Rolspelers in die oliedienste bedryf is besig met die sluit van kontrakte om geriewe in die Saldanha te vestig om die groeiende oliebedryf aan die kus van Wes-Afrika te bedien.

Dit kan skoonmaakspanne vir potensiële olierampe, herstelwerk aan olieboortorings en toerusting vir die lê van ondersesepypleidings insluit. Saldanhabaai sal hom graag as n oliedienssentrum wil vestig.

Chairperson,

In conclusion the assets of the various State Owned companies do not belong to the Government alone. They belong to the people of South Africa, because they were established and built with taxpayers money.

Therefore, it is vital that state owned enterprises are managed well and that the Minister, the Department and us, as Members of Parliament, conduct our oversight role vigorously to ensure that that the correct investments are made for the future of our country.