My sincere gratitude to all media houses present here this morning. The main focus of this press conference is to outline the Department of Roads and Public Work’s 100 days programme which is a response to the ruling party manifesto of accelerating service delivery and declaring war on poverty.
A task team to be chaired by the acting Head of Department of Public Works has been set up to oversee the process of transferring the function of Roads to Public Works and accompanying resources. By resources this refers to budget and human resources which are policy imperatives.
The provincial government has made a commitment that the envisaged transfer processes will not have a negative effect on employees in the roads component.
In this regard section 197 of the Labour Relations Act of 1995 provides that, in the processes of transfers of functions the right of employees should not be negatively affected. This means therefore that the service conditions and benefits of the transferring staff will remain intact.
The new department as configured by the Premier has a clear core function and mandate that of Provision and maintenance of quality Roads and State owned properties as contribution to socio-economic development of our people in this province. We move from the premise of acknowledging some impassable roads infrastructure network backlog which makes it difficult for our masses to access basic services like clinics and schools.
Couple with that bridges that were washed away which necessitate the department to come up with innovative measures of portable bridges which will be demonstrated in due course. Whilst we accelerate service delivery we will be creating job opportunities for the poorest of the poor as well as empowering emerging contractors through sustainable incubator programme.
Working with the local government sphere the department is engaged in a road classification audit process. As we mitigate effects of country’s recession, phase two of the Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) will be implemented in order to improve livelihood of our people.
This will create more job opportunities on a massive scale as we did during phase one of EPWP where 275 000 jobs were created enabling beneficiaries to put food on the table and send their children to school. 20 young artisans have graduated through Accelerated Professions and Trade Competency Development (APTCOD) this illustrates government commitment to youth empowerment and development in construction industry. We will enrol another 20 learners during these 100 days.
A state of the art building which is a house of Eastern Cape traditional leaders will soon be ready for operations. This will restore the dignity of traditional institution in the province. This multi million rand building, the first of its kind in the province will be handed over to the traditional leaders for utilisation but the department will remain the custodian of the property.
The following important conferences will be hosted within the 100 days in office:
* Provincial contractors’ conference to give progress made on empowerment of emerging contractors through various programmes
* Property conference to deal with all government properties and to quantify superfluous properties that might be effectively utilised by local municipalities for service delivery.
* Women in construction awards
* Roads indaba
* Opening of Ukhahlamba District offices on the 15 June 2009 for the first time in this Region. Ukhahlamba district has since been separated from Chris Hani Region and will now have its own identity for easy co-ordination as per Government commitment to bring services closer to people.
We remain committed to accelerate service delivery to people of the Eastern Cape. We say to all civil servants “all hands on the deck”. Together we can do more. We are looking forward to better the lives of our people in an integrated manner.
Enquiries:
Jason Lloyd
Cell: 082 728 5476
I Thank You!!
Issued by: Department of Roads and Public Works, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
28 May 2009
Source: Department of Roads and Public Works, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
(http://dpw.ecprov.gov.za/)
