for Public Works, Mrs Lydia Johnson during KwaDukuza Road Show
20 February 2009
Programme director
Mayor of Ilembe District, Cllr Welcome Mdabe
Head of Department, Dr F B Madlopha
Mayor of KwaDukuza Municipality Cllr Thulani Khuluse
Traditional Leaders
Senior management of the department and Ilembe
Municipality
Councilors
Distinguished guests, I great you all
Today is indeed a very important day as have come here as the department to
report back to you about the progress and achievements in terms of delivering
services. The Department of Public Works is entrusted with the responsibility
of constructing government buildings and management of government
properties.
Therefore it is crucial for us to give feedback about our successes in terms
of delivering on our mandate. Today we pride ourselves as the department that
we have successfully implemented government programmes as expected. The
government has committed itself to upliftment of all communities especially the
previously disadvantaged communities.
This can be achieved through robust infrastructure delivery. The
infrastructure forms the foundation for economic growth and development.
Adequate infrastructure delivery is a crucial incentive for investment.
Therefore our Department plays a very strategic role for the development of our
country.
There is more commitment to excellent service among the staff and the focus
has shifted to end users. We ensure adherence to Batho Pele principles. The
people must come first. We hold a view that people have a right to be served in
a dignified manner.
The department has introduced various programmes and policies which are
aimed at improving our service delivery. To make a meaningful contribution in
terms of development of our communities, the department has responded by
ensuring proper implementation of national initiatives. For instance with
regards to Expanded Public Works Programmes (EPWP), the department has managed
to meet its target. Many families have benefited from
EPWP defined projects. This is achieved mainly by ensuring that local people
are prioritised when there are projects in their areas. In the financial
year
2007/08 the department had a target of 16000 jobs the total number of jobs
actually created is 17499.
The National Youth Service (NYS) programme which is also under EPWP has also
been successfully implemented. This programme is aimed at providing
construction related skills, mainly plastering and bricklaying to our youth.
The youth receive theoretical training for six months while receiving a stipend
of R600 and practical training under a well established contractor for six
months and receive a stipend for R1 000. Currently there are 178 learners
undergoing classroom training. Even here at Ilembe we have learners who have
benefited.
The department has also initiated a programme called Masakhe Emerging
Contractor
Development Programme (ECDP) which provides support to emerging contractors so
that they progress to high grades. With this programme emerging contractors
stand a better chance to secure tenders as they fall within the same
grade.
This programme responds directly to the issue of Broad Based Black Economic
Empowerment (BBBEE) as the PPG groups are prioritised. Entering the
construction industry has been made even easier as the Department has
facilitated establishment of Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB)
offices in Mayville, Durban. This center supports contractor development by
growing contractor capacity, promoting equity, encouraging continuity and
improving industry standards.
Our department has also formed contractor forums in all districts. These
forums are used as platform for constructive engagements and enhanced
consultation. Issues pertaining to construction industry are discussed and
inputs are made regarding the partnership between the Department and
contractors.
Another programme called âIzandla Ziyagezanaâ. In this programme all vacant
sites will be cleared using local unemployed youth. This is a poverty
alleviation and labour intensive programme. This programme has been launched in
Harmmersdale, Portshepstone, Margate and Ezakheni. Through this programme many
families will be able to put ends meat on their tables.
The above programmes have brought the department closer to the people. In
the light of the above I would like to highlight just a few projects which have
been delivered within Ilembe district. The province has experienced severe
natural disasters which caused serious damages to government properties mainly
schools.
The Department of Public Works intervened and repaired those schools. Those
schools involve the following Ndwedwe local municipality.
1. Dalibo Primary School
2. Nkumbeni Primary school
3. Mzingezwi Secondary School
4. Isifisosethu Secondary School
5. KwaJessop Primary School
6. Sigedleni Primary School
7. Gasela Primary School
8. Sotobe High School
9. Ngungwini High School
10. Montobelo Primary School
11. Nombika High School
12. Intaphuka Primary School
13. Mqedi Primary School
14. Magongolo Juniuor Primary School
15. Siqondokuhle Junior Primary School
16. Mashiza Primary School
17. Ntathakusa Primary School
18. Qalakahle High School
19. Bhidakhona Primary School
20. Imbuyiselo Secondary School
21. Manzamholphe Primary School
22. Qalimfundo Primary School
23. Manzamhlophe Primary School
24. Egweni Primary School
25. Esundumbili Primary School
26. Ntendeni Primary School
Maphumulo local municipality
1. Mbhekaphansi High School
2. Isibanisezwe Secondary School
3. Lusizolwethu Juniour Primary
4. Ekhatha Primary School
KwaDukuza Municipality
1. Shekembula High School
2. Nonhlevu High School
3. Groutville High School
4. Stanger South Secondary School
5. Etete Primar School
6. Ndulinde Primary School
Ndondakusuka / Mandini Municipalty
1. Ethel Mthiyane Secondary School
Apart from repairs and renovations the Department has also engaged in the
following projects.
Institution: KwaNyuswa Clinic (Ndwedwe)
Project: Additions
Institution: Maphumulo Resource Centre (Maphumulo)
Project: Roof, ceiling and floor covering
Institution: Thafamasi Clinic (Ndwedwe)
Project: Additions
Institution: Umphumulo Hospital (Maphumulo)
Project: New nurses' room, new roadway, casualty, accommodation and three
doctors' houses
Institution: Stanger Hospital (KwaDukuza)
Project: Male and Female wards, laundry and extension to security office
Institution: Otimati Clinic (Maphumulo)
Project: Replace existing clinic
Institution: Ezindlovini Primary School (Ndwedwe)
Project: Five new classrooms, toilets, roadway and walkways
Institution: Nondenisa High School (Ndwedwe)
Project: Three classrooms, toilets, specialist R M and Admin block.
Institution: Vukile High School (Maphumulo)
Project: Three classrooms and admin block
Institution: Sisebenzile High School (Ndwedwe)
Project: Toilets
Institution: Maqumbi Clinic (Maphumulo)
Project: Additions
Institution: Faku Primary School
Project: Three Classrooms and two Toilets
Institution: Chibini Clinic
Project: Upgrade roadwork and water supply
Institution: Nophungulwana Primary School (Maphumulo)
Project: Four classrooms, eight toilets and two water tanks
Institution: Hlonono Secondary school (Maphumulo)
Project: FOUR classrooms, science lab and admin
Institution: Hluphizwe Primary School (Maphumulo)
Project: Four classrooms, eight toilets and three water tanks
Institution: Dludla Primary School (Maphumulo)
Project: 20 Toilets
Institution: Oqaqeni Clinic (Maphumulo)
Project: Additions
Institution: Montobello Hospital
Project: Additions
Therefore with those words I wish to encourage you to ensure that you
protect government properties in your communities. These are your properties.
âPhansi
nokucekelwa phansi kwezakhiwo zikahulumeni phansiâ You must support the
government by using the infrastructure responsibly. We should be patriotic and
progressive so that the future generations will also benefit from these
properti âPhambili nentuthuko phambiliâ
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Public Works, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
20 February 2009
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za/)
