IMATU COMMENTS ON THE 2014/15 NATIONAL BUDGET

The Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU) is pleased to see that the Minister of Finance’s 2014 Budget Speech emphasised the need to focus on transformation imperatives that will accelerate growth, create work opportunities and build a more equal society.

“We welcome the Minister’s commitment to the efficient allocation of expenditure, strengthening management structures, cutting waste and eliminating corruption. It is also encouraging to see that infrastructure development and job creation are still being prioritised. R847 billion has been allocated to infrastructure development over the next three years, including the Government’s commitment to build 216 000 houses, connect 905 000 households to electricity and rebuild 433 schools,” commented IMATU General Secretary, Johan Koen.

IMATU was pleased to note that R 40 billion in infrastructure grants will be transferred to local government during 2014/2015 period, and R 105 billion over the next three years, to improve water, sanitation, energy and environmental functions.

South Africa’s economy needs to grow faster and more inclusively. IMATU supports the National Development Plan’s vision of newly developed spatial plans for cities, improved public transport, better procurement and supply chain management and the upgrading of informal settlements.

“Sustainable economic growth and development will only take place once we start to effectively tackle the challenges of unemployment, inequality and poverty. IMATU believes that with effective leadership, correctly channelled resources, the up-skilling of workers and the rooting out of corruption, Local Government can offer a sustainable service delivery model that will assist in the efficient collaboration between local, provincial and national tiers of Government,” concluded Koen.