Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi has visited the construction site of the police station at Keimoes, near Upington in the Northern Cape as part of the Imbizo Public participation programme of government.
The project is being undertaken by the Department of Public Works (DPW) on behalf of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and is one of the many such capital projects being implemented by the department in the province to meet and realize the priority of government to roll out decent infrastructure in contribution to economic growth.
The minister also used the opportunity to speak to different stakeholders who will benefit from the police station including businesses, local community and the municipality. At the construction cost of R65m, the Keimoes Police precinct includes a police station, a cell block and residential accommodation for members of the SAPS, including two flats for people with disabilities.
The construction of the police accommodation block is almost is almost complete with 98% of the work finished. The cell bock is 95% complete while the police station is 68% finished. Once completed, the facility will enable the police to effectively manage crime over a wide and expansive territory incorporating rural locations characterised by commercial farming – which is the mainstay of the economy in the region.
Increase in economic activity and migration has led to unintended social consequences such as the increase in crimes like robberies, domestic abuse and stock theft in the region. The police station will go a long way in creating safer communities – one of the priorities of government.
In the past five years, the department has made repeated visits to the Northern Cape in general and the Siyanda district municipality to commission various infrastructure investment initiatives including the Augrabies community safety centre, the Vioolsdrif border post, the Kimberly new generation correctional facility and Galeshiwe magistrate court – all multi million rand projects undertaken and delivered by DPW.
Energy efficiency
The police accommodation block of flats has been fitted with solar powered geysers. The police station has double volume windows in all passages and in the ‘charge office’ area which will minimises the use of electricity lights. Cell blocks, there have heat pumps which reduces the usage of air conditioners thus saving electricity.
Social and economic impact
Over 110 jobs have been created by the construction of the police station. This figure includes 74 young people (below 35 years). Local subcontractors including bricklayers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, machine operators and general workers are benefiting by the construction of the police station.
Expanded Public Works Programm (EPWP)
About 75 EPWP beneficiaries received practical training on the site. The training period over six months was for skills including brick laying, plumbing, tiling, paving, carpentry, Occupational Health Standards and environmental awareness. Of the 75 beneficiaries, 31 of them were female and 44 are male.
Enquiries:
Thami Mchunu
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