We could expand on the EPWP jobs (pg 8) and elaborate on the plans for 2012/13
Gauteng is expected to yield 90 097 work opportunities and 44 978 full time equivalent opportunities and this will be achieved through the implementation of the programmes below coupled with work opportunities yielded by all Gauteng Provincial Government departments and municipalities.
These will be realised across sectors. Gauteng Municipalities are envisaged to yield 61 402 work opportunities and 22 320 full time equivalent. Training will be provided and funding is currently being leveraged in collaboration with sector education and training authorities (SETAs) to ensure the intensification of skills Development.
National Youth Service (NYS)
The Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) has intensified its administrative processes with a view to prioritising work exposure opportunities for youth on the National Youth Service Programme. The private sector becomes a critical player in government’s effort to develop the Youth of Gauteng. For 2012/13 DID has targeted the recruitment of 3 000 youth with an additional number lagging from 2011/12.
One Job Per poor Household
The implementation of One job per poor household has been aligned to the 50 poorest wards and has equally integrated the said programme within Community Works Programme. For 2012/13 targeting 500 beneficiaries in the West Rand areas.
Accelerated Artisan Training Programme (AATP)
DID is targeting the recruitment of 500 artisans for training (internally and externally) with a view to intensify on scarce skills excluding 31 plumbers to qualify as plumbers by September 2012 and one motor mechanic completing in May 2012.
Military veterans, disabled owned entities and cooperatives and additional Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) initiatives/projects:
Targeted groupings namely, military veterans, disabled owned entities, youth owned and women inclusive of cooperatives are DID’s primary focus on projects targeted for 2012/13 with a wide range of projects ranging from waste management, greening and paving of roads, waterless car wash systems for government cars, community parks etc.
DID’s focus are on developmental initiatives ranging from 121 contractors envisaged to benefit from the contractor incubation programme, enterprise development and cooperative development. Three Gauteng municipalities have been targeted for Food for Waste in Gauteng in collaboration with the Department of Public Works (DPW).
EPWP Projects
Due to budget cuts five new infrastructure projects have been identified for 2012/13 with five projects already in progress, three projects at design stage and one project on tender stage.
Community Works Programme (CWP)
DID is rolling out seven Gauteng CWP sites and overseeing 12 Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Gauteng sites with each site envisaged to recruit 1 000 beneficiaries.
Vacancy rate in our department. There should be a positive story to write.
Operation clean audit
The department is currently working around the clock to ensure an improved audit report is obtained from the Auditor General for the 2011/12 financial year under review. Specific attention has been given to procurement processes within the Department to ensure the irregular expenditure incurred by the department in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 financial year is further decreased.
Although it should be noted that some of the contracts entered into prior to 2009 are still ongoing and will have an impact on the irregular expenditure reported on, significant progress on the matter was made during 2010/11 and our aim is to improve it even more during 2011/12. Both Supply Chain Management and Property Management are currently managed as Special Projects to ensure deliverables are met.We have also revised the Supply Chain Management (SCM) structure to address the mandate of the Department to ensure procurement is effectively and efficiently managed.
Multi-year infrastructure planning
Multiyear infrastructure planning is currently being addressed through the procurement plan which was developed from October 2011 after receipt of project lists from the clients. The procurement plan has been reported to the client departments and is also being reviewed by Treasury at this point in time.
2011/12 Financial year
GDE Projects:
- six new schools were completed
- five restoratives repairs projects were completed
- four Grade R’s were completed. 18 Grade R’s will be completed before the end of the financial year
- 17 palisade fencing have been completed. One palisade fencing will be completed before the end of the financial year
- One replacement of school will be completed before the end of the financial year
- One additions to special school to be completed before the end of the financial year
EPWP Projects
Erection of concrete fence at Bazami Farm Settlement has been completed.
DARD Projects
The construction of bird hide & game hide at Roodeplaat Nature Reserve have been completed.
2012/13 Financial year
Department of Education (GDE) Projects:
- Four new Schools will be completed
- 100 restoratives Repairs projects will be completed
- 175 Grade R will be completed
- 11 septic tanks will be completed
- 35 palisade fencing will be completed
- Three additions to special school to be completed
Health projects
- The construction of new hospitals at Zola and Natalspruit will be completed.
- Social Development Projects.
- One completion of the new secure care facility will be completed.
- One renovations to the old age home will be completed.
EPWP projects
- Construction of June 16 Memorial Acre will be completed
- Redevelopment of Lilian Ngoyi Art and Craft will be completed
- Construction of Sokhulumi MPCC will be completed
- Installation of basic water services & sanitation at Eikenhof Informal settlement will be complete.
Department of Roads and Transport (DRT)
The construction of a vehicle inspection facility (Grade A) at Tshwane will be completed.
Department of Economic Development (DED
Construction of a wall at Dinokeng will be completed.
Monuments
The following Heritage Projects are already in progress namely, June 16 envisaged for completion in 2013/14 due to financial constraints, Boipatong Heritage is a partnership with Gautrain where DID is responsible for professional fees and Gautrain for Construction of the Monument and Kagiso Heritage site is currently at design stage.
Better procurement planning and extending the reach of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE).
During 2011/12 significant improvements were made with extending the reach of BBBEE targets. The department achieved its targets related to empowering Human Development Index (HDIs) as well as Youth and Women in Construction.
30 Day payment level - DID target is 21 days
Payments should be made in 30 days as required by the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). However during the financial year under review the department did have financial constraints and could not pay all service providers in the required timeframe. Cash flow constraints were addressed with the client departments as well to ensure fast-tracking of cash transfers to be received from them.
Capacity in DID
Capacity in the Finance Branch has been reviewed and National Treasury is currently also analysing the capacity within the Chief Financial Officer (CFO’s) offices within the Province to assist and address the capacity.The department reviewed the SCM structure to address the capacity and we are awaiting the approval of the structure from Department for Public Service and Administration (DPSA) to implement the structure.
Issues raised by Chief of Staff
Property Strategy
Since 1994 the Gauteng Provincial Government never had a documented strategy pertaining to the management of its property portfolio.
A draft copy is being circulated to senior management for comments. By the end of March the final document will be ready for presentation at the Portfolio Committee and Exco.
Propcru judgement
The introduction of the market related rentals was resisted by some tenants/occupants of the government residential properties.
POPCRU as the union took the department to court citing the fact that the department was in violation of the bargaining resolution that gave them permission to occupy these properties.
The court dismissed the case with cost in favour of the department.
The department is currently consulting all stakeholders in preparation for the full implementation of the market related rentals for all government residential property tenants.
Minor maintenance
Every building that is managed by the department has facilities management unit that liaise with the leasing unit of DID on maintenance needs of the tenants.
On residential maintenance, there was a moratorium that was introduced by the former department of Public Transport Roads and Works.
DID has uplifted that moratorium, it is intending to maintain all residential properties that are complying to market related rentals.
