Democratic Alliance press statement by Roy Jankielsohn DA MPL in the Free State Provincial Legislature Magashule’s government contributing to Free State economic decline 11 March 2014 Release: Immediate It has come to light that the ANC-led Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality has awarded about R800 million worth of contracts to Gauteng companies during the current financial year while Bloemfontein and Free State companies only received about R200 million’s worth in contracts. Even at provincial government level the majority of contracts are awarded to companies registered outside of the province. This contributes hugely to the steady economic decline in the province, job losses and the inability to monitor the progress and success of government infrastructure projects. His promise to revitalise the manufacturing sector through initiatives to reopen the factories at Qwaqwa, Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo remain a pipedream. The excuses given by the ANC-led government that Free State companies lack the skills and equipment necessary to execute projects ring hollow. The Free State government increasingly sources goods and services from outside the province. Unemployment in the Free State is the highest in the country. The current unemployment rate in the Free State is 41.2%, this means that more than 780 000 people that are able to work can’t find employment. Over the last 10 years the Free State has lost 99 000 jobs. Almost half the population in the Free State live in poverty on less than R800.00 per month. A DA government will implement a ‘Free State First’ policy within our tender processes. A DA government in the Free State will support and promote emerging local business because we know that in order to grow the Free State economy, to create jobs and eradicate poverty we need to work together.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 10:31:10 +0000