Room E249 : 17th June 2009

Chairperson,

Every five years the electorate gives a mandate to who should govern and how to govern our beautiful country. For this reason all departments have to review their plans in line with the new mandate and reconfigured priorities of the new government.

The Department of Public Works is a very important department that has a key role to play in helping government fulfil its promises and provide a better life for all South Africans. The Department's role with regard to creating employment and stimulating the economy is especially important now that we are in the midst of an economic crisis. In his State of the Nation Address President Zuma stated that the second phase of the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) aims to create about 4 million job opportunities by 2014 and 500 000 by December 2009. These are indeed lofty targets which we hope will be reached during the specified time frame.

The well being of the construction industry is very important for the long term growth of our economy. It's therefore vital to ensure that there are enough skilled people working within this industry so training, bursaries and mentorship programmes are critical. The transformation of the construction industry must also continue at a brisk pace including the promotion of previously disadvantaged groups within the industry with a specified focus on women and the youth. 
 

Small and emerging contractors must also be promoted and benefit from the opportunities that are present. These opportunities must be shared equitably so there must be efficient mechanisms in place to ensure that the Department's various initiatives such as the Construction Industry Development Programme (CIDP) and the Emerging Contractor Development Programme benefit as wide a range of people as possible and the opportunities that they present are shared by many. They must not be reserved for a select few.

Finally Honourable Chair, the issue of service delivery will always feature prominently when dealing with government departments and institutions. The people that the Department has in its employ will determine whether the objectives of the various programmes are achieved and the ultimate success of the Department so vacancies must be filled in a timely manner and the department must be staffed with efficient personnel with the necessary skills to perform their duties at a high level.

The IFP supports this budget vote.

I thank you.

Contact:
Liezl van der Merwe
083 611 7470.