GOVERNMENT FACES R30BN MAINTENANCE BACKLOG

State infrastructure repairs will take decades to clear, says Macpherson

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

NATIONAL Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Minister Dean Macpherson has admitted that the infrastructure maintenance backlog stands at approximately R30 billion, spread across 56000 properties for various departments in the legislature.

Macpherson was responding to questions posed by Malebo Patricia Kobe, of ActionSA, during a recent written question-and-response session conducted during the National Assembly.

Kobe asked what the total quantified backlog in rand and physical value relating to maintenance of critical and physical condition of state-owned infrastructure assets including government buildings and dams and questioned his office's Annual Performance Plan for the year 2024/2025, requesting which projects had been completed during the period between April 1, 2024 to March.

Kobe also asked Macpherson to expand on expenditure for each infrastructure project and its original budget and approval and reasons given if there were variations.