The department of Infrastructure Development is ready to lead the efforts of the Gauteng Provincial Government in boosting the national job creation drive through infrastructure development, rehabilitation and maintenance projects that are labour intensive in nature and character.
The massive investment by government in the socio-economic infrastructure sector is one guaranteed way through which the target of 130 000 work opportunities will be created by the end of this year. These projects deal with the construction, maintenance, renewal and upgrading of Gauteng’s infrastructure.
Capital Works Programme
Four (4) new schools will be delivered during 2011 and they should be ready for the 2012 schooling year. We will also be renovating 30 other schools across the province in 2011/12. The department will also initiate plans for the building of 13 new schools around the province to be delivered in the 2012/13 financial year. In addition to the repairs and renovation of Nokuthula Special School for learners with special needs, the department will also be renovating wards for integration of TB patients at seven hospitals during the 2011/12 financial year.
We will be proceeding with the construction of the boarding facilities for the four (4) schools around Magaliesburg in order to alleviate the long and unsafe distance that learners have to walk daily. The other such project will be considered for the Fochville area. It must be noted that the value of the work e.g. R300 m has a potential to create +-1 500 indirect jobs in addition to the other jobs that will be created post construction. The total building area 13 405 square meters. The sport facilities 14 495 square meters.
Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)
A total of 66 000 employment opportunities will be created through our EPWP projects during 2011. This figure includes decent work opportunities lasting 230 days and more, which are full-time equivalent as well as the short-term jobs lasting 100 as well as training for participants.
The majority of beneficiaries are women and the youth between 18 and 35. Of the total number of work opportunities until the 4th quarter, a total of 22 181 would have gone to men, whilst the rest will be for women and the youth.
We have improved our coordination of the province’s delivery capacity to ensure that we accelerate the Expanded Public Works Programme. A lot of ground has already been covered with regard to consultations with other departments and municipalities on better ways to integrate all our socio-economic infrastructure development programmes into the EPWP to broaden its reach.
National Youth Service
We have just concluded a process of receiving CV’s and will be placing 4 000 youth across Gauteng under the National Youth Service programme as from 01 April 2011. The programme will train this group of learners in various sectors of the province’s economy. This will include bricklaying, building, paving, plumbing, carpentry, electrical work and other social services in the province. The 4000 participants will be equipped with skills to help them gain entry into the workplace.
Payment of service providers within 30 days
We are making progress in ensuring that we pay invoices within 30 days of receipt. Our payment turn-around time has improved. There is now a significant reduction on our accruals since the last financial year. In 2009/10 we were at R404 million, now we are at R65 million for invoices that are over 30 days. This would also have changed today, as a result of the payment run that was affected yesterday (22 February 2011).
During 2010/11 the department has put processes in place to address late payment of invoices together with treasury and the client departments, which saw Treasury ring fencing from September 2010. The funds that are ring fenced allow the department to pay invoices as soon as client departments process to us.
Water and Energy saving initiatives by the Department of Infrastructure Development The department’s energy and water management strategy seeks to lower the high consumption rate. This will result in savings on these resources. The institutions that will be targeted include hospitals, clinics, schools, government building, including district and regional offices.
We remain committed, and we are confident that we shall achieve the goals set by the Gauteng provincial Government.
For more information, contact:
Mr Philemon Motshwaedi
Spokesperson
Tel: 011 355 5105
Cell: 083 648 6870
E-mail: Philemon.motshwaedi@gauteng.gov.za
Source: Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development
