The President chaired the first meeting of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission today. The meeting was attended by the Ministers with portfolios related to infrastructure, Premiers, a number of metropolitan Mayors and South African Local Government Association (SALGA) representatives.
The meeting focused on the need to accelerate investment in social and economic infrastructure. Challenges identified in this regard included the need to improve coordination both within spheres of government and between spheres of government.
There is both a need for more coordinated and integrated planning of infrastructure investments, and a need to improve coordination during the implementation of projects. In addition, there is a need to improve prioritisation processes and ensure that resources are allocated accordingly.
Given the shortage of resources related to the extent of the need, it was also agreed that more work needs to be done to facilitate a higher level of private sector investment in infrastructure. A review of legislative and regulatory frameworks is required with the aim of identifying where these frameworks are resulting in unintended delays in projects.
Weaknesses in infrastructure planning and procurement processes and the lack of the required capabilities within government (particularly amongst struggling municipalities), including the problem of corruption, were also identified as issues requiring attention.
The Commission reached consensus on how it should address these issues. It was agreed that the Commission would meet four times a year. Members of the Management Committee are Ministers of Rural Development and Land Reform, Economic Development, Public Works, Finance, Planning Commission, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Public Enterprises and Energy as well as North West Premier and a representative of SALGA. The management committee will be supported by a secretariat.
It was also agreed that the Commission will focus on accelerating the planning and implementation of priority projects, as well as addressing the generic challenges described above, such as regulatory impediments, and challenges related to coordination, planning and procurement.
In this regard, the Management Committee has been given the task of producing a list of priority projects, in consultation with the relevant Ministers, Premiers and Mayors. Focus areas will include human settlements, health and basic education infrastructure, water supply, sanitation, roads, communication energy, ports, and rail.
The work on social infrastructure will focus on the areas of greatest need, including the rural districts with the highest backlogs, towns and cities with large informal settlements, and rapidly growing towns.
The work on economic infrastructure will focus on the economic infrastructure which is most important to facilitate economic growth and job creation. The Commission will meet again within the next two months to review and agree on these priorities.
Between Commission meetings, the Management Committee and its management team will focus on ensuring that progress is expedited on the priority projects. Future Commission meetings will review progress reports on the priority projects and with addressing the general challenges of infrastructure delivery.
Enquiries:
Jimmy Manyi
Cell: 082 379 3454
Media statement on the first meeting of the Infrastructure Coordinating Commission
