According to the provincial finance MEC, Gadija Brown, this is due to implemented lockdown measures. Tabling the 2020/21 mid-term budget on Tuesday, Brown said she is hopeful the relaxation of regulations will enable many infrastructures development projects to kick off - as they are one of the drivers of the provincial economy. 

Brown said she is further hopeful the Public-Private Partnership regulations will soon unlock several infrastructure development projects that will create jobs and the enhance the Free State's capacity to generate revenue. She announced this includes plans to develop the Bram Fischer International Airport into a Cargo Port and the N8 into an aerotropolis hub supporting the airport and the Army base. 

Brown highlighted that whilst these are among the long-term Public-Private Partnership infrastructure projects, the development of the Provincial Government Building, Legislature Building, Parys Hospital and the Free State Psychiatric Hospital will soon have to kick-off.

OFM News has for years reported on the dilapidated state of these buildings and safety concerns raised by opposition parties.

In February, OFM News reported on legislature services that had come to a halt due to a sewage spillage at the Southern Life Plaza building’s lower basement area, which posed a risk to employees' health.

It was confirmed that spillages had become a regular incident, leading the secretary to release employees due to the unbearable smell.

Infrastructure challenges faced at the Psychiatric Hospital are among those that have also been flagged by National Council of Provinces (NCOP) citing low hanging ceilings, malfunctioning boilers and crowded wards.

OFM News