Infrastructure plan 'to reverse poverty'

Johannesburg - Government's R4 trillion infrastructure development plan will bring hope to South Africans and address unemployment, poverty and skills shortage, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba said on Thursday.

"We need to rally South Africans regarding this plan and instill confidence that measures are being pursued to address unemployment and poverty."

Gigaba was addressing delegates at the municipal infrastructure summit in Johannesburg.

Government is set to spend more than R3.7 trillion on Strategic Integrated Projects (Sips) through public-private partnerships.

He said the effects of the global economic crisis presented the country with an opportunity to stimulate its own economy and decrease dependency on developed countries and imports.

"An ambitious infrastructure programme is a powerful instrument to government to stimulate economic growth."

Government would raise infrastructure investment to over 10% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

President Jacob Zuma's infrastructure co-ordinating commission was in charge of the massive plan.

A supplier development summit would soon be held where government would share its infrastructure investment plans with various industries.