17 May 2007
The Minister of Public Works, Ms Thoko Didiza, has called for greater
co-operation between the private and public sectors in the drive to provide
infrastructure development in developing countries.
Speaking at closing session of the International Council for Research and
Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB) at the Cape Town International
Convention Centre, Minister Didiza said the construction industry has a pivotal
role to play in infrastructure provision.
She said, "Infrastructure is of great value to society, to both those that
derive economic and social benefit from the built environment as well as to
those who are creating the built environment. Construction creates the
foundations of our global economy and the basis for human advancement. It also
accounts for about ten percent of the global economy and provides much needed
employment and dignity to millions of people around the world."
The Minister observed that even though the industry is a highly competitive
one, it continues to be a high priority across the globe as issues of
infrastructure deficiencies, backlog and disparities are very urgent.
"The legacy of uneven development and underdevelopment in Africa and
elsewhere in post-colonial societies is well known. That is why infrastructure
development continues to occupy a central position in government's agenda to
roll back the underdevelopment of decades of neglect.
"The inherited backlog of uneven development coincides with the need for new
levels of infrastructure investment to deliver Accelerated and Shared Growth
Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA). AsgiSA aims to achieve an economic growth
of six percent and to halve poverty and unemployment by 2014 in line with our
commitment to United Nations Millennium Development Goals," she said.
The Minister emphasised that; in spite of the challenges, the South African
government is determined to increase public sector capital budgets to an
unprecedented rate of 10 to 15 percent per annum and to raise Gross Domestic
Fixed Investment (GDFI) from 15% to 25% of Gross Domestic Product.
"To achieve these levels of infrastructure investment, our construction
industry will need to double its output by 2014. This constitutes a challenge
of partnership facing industry stakeholders in our country," she said.
The Minister concluded by saying that the government is clear in its
conviction that the South African construction industry is a national asset in
the strategy to achieve economic growth and improve the quality of life for the
majority of South Africans.
Enquiries:
Thami Mchunu
Media Liaison Officer
Tel: 021 462 4184
Cell: 079 519 6997
Issued by: Department of Public Works
17 May 2007
