Madam Deputy Speaker, the IFP has noted the report of the UNDP of 2006, which states that our country has made important strides in providing basic services to our people; for instance access to safe water. Likewise, President Mbeki expressed a positive acceptance of the report and its assessment of South Africa.
However, the report also states that these advances have been negated by backward steps in some of the critical areas. At least 16 million South Africans are still without access to basic sanitation and we therefore need to reappraise some of our national policies to meet these challenges.
The report also emphasises the formidable challenges of HIV/Aids for South Africa and the African region. The standard life expectancy pattern between men and women has been reversed. Women are more likely to be infected and are more likely to die of Aids earlier than men.
The IFP therefore calls on the government to create and implement a clear national plan with well-defined targets, a strong regulatory framework with devolution of relevant powers to local authorities and constant monitoring of progress as recommended by the UN. I thank you.