As this is the year of action, as pronounced by the State President, Mr Jacob Zuma during his State of the Nation Address (SoNA), and reiterated by the Premier, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane during her State of the Province Address (SoPA), as the Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) we have identified outputs that will require our undivided attention. These are:
* Creation of decent work opportunities
* Efficient localised service delivery initiatives
* Enhanced Infrastructure development
As the department and through commitments made with the Premier, we have come to the conclusion, together with our stakeholders, to improve and bring closer to the people of Gauteng, essential social infrastructure. This we will do in conjunction with the mandates we have as a department i.e. Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), capital works and maintenance.
Creation of decent work opportunities
As a concerted effort to reduce unemployment, and in support of skills development and public employment, we will embark on creating opportunities for employment. As the lead department that coordinates EPWP, we will target the skilled but unemployed, the unskilled and unemployed, the youth of Gauteng through the National Youth Service (NYS), women and people with disabilities. By 2014, through EPWP, we would have created one million job opportunities. Also, as the department that coordinates the youth service delivery issues as mandated by the Premier, we are preparing for the next intake of NYS.
In line with the Premier’s address, we will ensure that skills development is of paramount importance. The massification of our jobs will be done through our EPWP programme in the war on poverty i.e. 20 Prioritised Township Programmes (PTP) and 50 poorest wards: one household – one job initiative that being the introduction of our 100 day work opportunity.
Efficient localised service delivery initiatives
During our outreach programmes undertaken last year with Gauteng communities, it emerged that there was a lack of partnerships between government and the private sector and amongst the communities themselves. It is the department’s intention to foster these relationships this year. An active participation in roadshows is earmarked with companies such as the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), the Industrial Development Board (IDC), the banking institutions and other construction industry role players. Using ONSITE Construction Contact Centres (CCCs), we aim to contribute towards the support and development of small, medium and micro-Enterprise (SMME) contractors who are within CIDB level one to four. We believe that this will play a pivotal role where emerging contractors will be trained and guided in measures to sustain their businesses.
Also, as the department we will be encouraging the servicing of projects by local service providers. Any project undertaken in a particular area should be serviced locally, as well as procuring all materials from the local hardware stores thereby strengthening local economic development.
Enhanced infrastructure development
As a department we are managing all construction of Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) Capex projects. A significant number of schools, hospitals and other public facilities will be maintained and improved in conjunction with the client departments.
However, there is a need for more funding for all infrastructure development needs in Gauteng. This has led to this department together with the Department of Finance, to seek alternative funding to cater for new projects. Therefore in order for this department to deliver infrastructure, we will be embarking on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Maintenance
The “clean face of Gauteng” initiative will be introduced this year where all government buildings will be enhanced. This will be done with the communities leading the initiative. In schools for instance, the school governing bodies (SGBs) and the local community will be encouraged to form co-ops that will maintain the facilities to its desirable state. This will assist in the prevention of vandalism and burglary to public facilities. Local plumbers, electricians, engineers will be placed at all public facilities for a prompt response to maintenance issues “making the lives of Gauteng people better”.
Enquiries:
Bongane Temane
Cell: 083 703 0529
E-mail: bongane.temane@gauteng.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Infrastructure Development, Gauteng Provincial Government
24 February 2010
