The Gauteng Provincial Government has set aside a whopping R10 billion for infrastructure development for the 2012/2013 financial year, Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said on Tuesday.

Speaking to journalists at the National Press Club in Pretoria, Mokonyane said Finance  MEC, Mandla Nkomfe, would unpack how this R10 billion would be used when he presents his budget speech in two weeks time.

“Some of this amount will go towards social infrastructure such as clinics, hospitals and schools,” said Mokonyane. 

She noted that it was also important to invest on economic infrastructure and facilities to ensure that the provincial economy grew.

“As we invest in infrastructure it is crucial that we also invest in the freight and logistics infrastructure,” she said.

Yesterday during the State of the Province Address, Mokonyane said Gauteng was positioning itself as a key Freight and Logistics Hub of the region, involving a number of related initiatives.

“We have embarked on a project for the development of the Aerotropolis as a key component of the transport infrastructure network created around the OR Tambo International Airport through the partnerships led by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Council and the Gauteng Provincial Government,” she said.

Furthermore, Mokonyane noted that the province was rolling out the G-Link Project and aims to achieve 95% broadband coverage in the province in an effort to narrow the digital divide, roll out e-government services and grow the economy.

“The G-link Project is central to our efforts to build the knowledge economy as a driver of development and make Gauteng a Smart Province,” she said. 

According to the Premier, some of the municipalities have already started rolling out the G-Link Project. 

As part of the World Cup Legacy, the province will in partnership with the national Department of Communication and City of Johannesburg, develop a Smart City at Nasrec in Johannesburg. 

This is a multi-disciplinary Information Communication Technology (ICT) development that aims to create sustainable economic activities through the use of ICT to improve the quality of life and decrease the cost of ICT.