The DA in the Eastern Cape says the province's march towards a fiscal cliff will continue.
That's if the MEC for Finance and Provincial Expenditure does not spell out clear plans to deal with an escalating wage bill.
DA MPL, Bobby Stevenson, was commenting on the mini-budget tabled in Bhisho on Wednesday, by MEC Sakhumzi Somyo, whom he said correctly identified the provincial wage bill of 65% of the total budget as a key problem that needs to be dealt with.
He said in the current adjustment of R1.446-billion, R555-million is to supplement the wage bill.
"Despite many promises by MEC for finance and Premier,No concrete plans have been put in place to reduce our bloated bureaucracy. Until we can reduce our bloated bureaucracy we will not have sufficient funds for service delivery" he said.
Speaking to Algoa FM News on Thursday morning, Stevenson said there were some positives in the mini-budget.
"We welcome the additonal R200 million for electrification projects in municipalities ,as well as the R100 million for housing in Nelson Mandela Bay and the additional R18 million for the National Student Financial Aid Fund" he said.
Education,Health and Agriculture were key priorities in the Eastern Cape Midterm budget speech on Wednesday.
Somyo said the Province is yet to fully capitalise on the vast tracks of arable land at its disposal.
