The Advisory Panel on Socio-economic Impact of E-tolls will meet stakeholders later this month to discuss the implementation of e-tolls on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP).
The panel will consult with key role players and interested parties from across of Gauteng, including government, state-owned enterprises, organised labour, business, civil society formations and the public.
The panel is currently meeting with the key implementers and government entities with a direct involvement in the implementation of the GFIP and e-tolls. Desktop research is also underway so that the panel takes into consideration all prior research and submissions in various consultation processes.
From 25 August 2014, the panel will hear representations from organised formations focusing on specific issues as follows:
* Labour: 26 to 27 August 2014;
* Business: 28 to 29 August 2014;
* Civil society: 1 to 3 September 2014;
* Information and knowledge institutions: 4 September 2014; and
* Transport organisations: 8 to 9 September 2014.
Any organisation wishing to make a submission to the panel should make a request in writing to the Secretary of the e-tolls Advisory Panel, 30 Simmonds Street, Johannesburg, 2107. Requests can also be sent via email to: etollspanel@gauteng.gov.za.
The consultations will be open to the media.
In September 2014, the panel is scheduled to hold public meetings in Tshwane (four meetings), Johannesburg (four meetings), Ekurhuleni (three meetings), Sedibeng (two meetings) and West Rand (two meetings).
A notice providing details of the public meetings and a call for written submissions will be published on 31 August 2014.
By early October 2014, the panel will meet with political parties represented in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
The Panel was established by Premier David Makhura on 17 July 2014 with a mandate to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the socio-economic impact of the e-tolls. It will present monthly reports and a final report and recommendations to the Premier by 30 November 2014.
