Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Health has been allocated the highest adjustment budget of R1 billion to deal with workers’ salaries and on assessments and scoping of works per facility in preparation for addressing alternative water and energy supply needs.
This was revealed by the Finance MEC Jacob Mamabolo when he tabled his 2022 adjustment budget in the provincial legislature yesterday.
The main budget, which was tabled on March 9 this year amounted to R152.9bn.
Yesterday, he adjusted it by a net R2.4bn to bring it to R155.3bn.
Mamabolo said the changes were primarily to respond to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances, as well as realignment of departmental mandates in line with the priorities of boosting the provincial economy.
He said the funds came from a combination of additions to the Provincial Equitable Share, surrender of funds to the Provincial Revenue Fund, as well as the rolling over of unspent funds from the 2021/22 financial year.
In respect of additions to the baseline, in the 2022/23 Adjustment Budget, departments will be receiving R1.5bn as follows:
■ Economic Development: The department would be receiving a total of R60 million, of which R40m is to fund the costs of diesel to alleviate the existing electricity supply challenges that are affecting the operations of tenants at the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone. This is an interim measure while the City addresses the bulk electricity infrastructure; R20m will be allocated to the completion of the top structure at the Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct of the OR Tambo International Airport Special Economic Zone.
■ Health: R1bn is allocated towards offsetting the pressures on compensation of employees arising from the public sector wage settlement agreement, and R2m to undertake all needs assessments and scoping of works per facility in preparation for addressing alternative water and energy supply.
■ Education: The department will be receiving an additional R85m to supplement its infrastructure funding that will be spent by the end of the financial year.
■ Human Settlements: R100m has been allocated towards the completion of incomplete infrastructure projects.
■ Community Safety: The department will be receiving an additional R173m to respond in the battle against crime, corruption, vandalism and lawlessness as mandated in the five elevated priorities towards the end of the Sixth Administration. These funds will go towards the recruitment and training of peace wardens, tools of trade, procurement of 10 drones, 50 vehicles and 500 000 panic buttons.
■ Agriculture and Rural Development: R39m has been allocated towards offsetting the shortfall in the compensation of employees budget exacerbated by the public sector wage settlement; and infrastructure development: The department will be receiving an additional R43m to offset pressures in the goods and services budget.
Pretoria News