By David Masango

The Free State provincial government will implement a number of social programmes aimed at assisting the poor, says Premier Beatrice Marshoff.

These include the implementation of the no-fees schools policy and the provision of free basic services to qualifying households.

Currently, the province is involved in assisting poor households through the food emergency scheme; emerging farmers through comprehensive agricultural support programmes and individuals through social grants.

In her State of the Province Address, Ms Marshoff said the province had found accommodation for over 1 000 children from rural areas that had to walk distances of between five to 21 kilometres, in seven hostels. Four more would be opened during the 2006/07 financial year.

She said over 2 600 households, 140 farm-workers’ houses and 40 schools were connected to electricity and 77 000 households in 16 municipalities were receiving free basic electricity. Most of the municipalities also provided free basic water.

“Last year alone, we managed to hand over 9 523 housing units to beneficiaries. In our endeavour to improve the livelihood of the poor in the province, 2 000 houses were allocated in Maluti-a-Phofung and 1 000 in Thaba-Nchu.

“During this financial year, a further 12 housing units will be built, thus giving effect to our commitment to the provision of adequate shelter to those in need,” she said.

Premier Marshoff added that the provincial government had increased the number of ARV sites to nine, catering for 11 000 people.

Source: BuaNews