According to MEC Gadija Brown, the department is committed to ensuring an accountable, transparent government. 

Tabling her department’s R331 million budget for the 2021/22 financial year, earlier on Wednesday, Brown said unemployment is one of the major challenges facing the province and Treasury will be working with the different departments and municipalities to ensure that opportunities are created for women and the youth. 

The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey released by Statistics South Africa, indicates the country's unemployment rate now stands at 30,8%, with the Free State facing an unemployment rate of over 34%. 

She further told the House there is a high need to stimulate the economy in the province and that infrastructure development is of high importance in this regard. Brown highlighted that several projects that could not be completed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown regulations, will this year be reprioritised.

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