FS Public Works & Infrastructure

“To uphold good governance and accountability, the Department has a functional Shared Audit Committee that sits quarterly to evaluate the work done including matters raised in the Risk and Ethics Management Committee,” read a statement by the Executive Authority, MEC Tshidi Koloi.

WE ARE ON TRACK

with our budget injunctions amid Covid-19

The Department has managed to deliver on its promised Policy Initiatives as captured in the Budget Vote of 2020/21 amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

As it is known, especially within the Public Service, a lot of budget reprioritisation has taken centre stage since the pandemic graced our shores.

Also, it is important for the Department to mention that our Annual Performance Plan (APP), takes cue from our Five Year Strategic Plan which covers the period, 2020/2025 (Medium Term Strategic Framework – MTSF).

The Department’s objective is to manage the implementation of programmes and strategies that lead to the development and empowerment of communities and contractors.

MEC Tshidi Koloi

In light of the Covid-19 difficult period, the Department managed to perform satisfactory under the following areas:

• Administration

• ICT

• Works and Infrastructure

• EPWP

• PMU

• Property Management Portfolio

As part of our efforts to make sure that business processes are not hampered and that the requisite skills are in place in the Department, the post of the Chief Financial Officer and that of the Head of Department were filled. These two posts were filled through the appointment of Ms. Allison Adams and Mr. Ernest Mohlahlo respectively.

“To uphold good governance and accountability, the Department has a functional Shared Audit Committee that sits quarterly to evaluate the work done including matters raised in the Risk and Ethics Management Committee,” read a statement by the Executive Authority, MEC Tshidi Koloi.

In our efforts to enhance business processes during this period of COVID-19, the Department embarked on improving efficiency through the deployment of technologically advanced solutions related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

Some of these advancements include:

• E-submission

• MS Teams for virtual meetings

• Centralised Departmental

• WhatsApp Group to enhance communication internally

• Intensify the use of the Social Media Platforms in an effort to enhance and promote the publicity and marketing of the work and achievements of the Department.

As part of our input to the Provincial stance towards preparing and dealing with COVID-19, we facilitated the provision of accommodation facilities for isolation and quarantine. This was done through availing state - owned accommodation facilities located across the Province.

The Resorts facilities were revamped and reconditioned to make sure they adhere to the Covid-19 norm and standards as set out by the Department of Health. These Government owned accommodation sites include:

• Gariep Dam Nature Resort

• Koppies Dam Resort

• Willem Pretorius Resort

• Soetdoring Nature Resort

• Seekoeivlei Resort

• Sterkfontein Dam

• Sandveld Resort

• Tussen die Riviere Resort, and

• Phillip Sanders Resort

The Head of Department reiterated in his opening remarks captured in the Annual Report that the Department managed to complete nine more maintenance projects, three TRP projects located in Botshabelo, Steynsrus and Odendaalsrus, as well as the construction of a new school in Bethlehem.

The Department has adopted a strategy to refurbish and maintain old buildings that are no longer in use with an estimated budget of R136.4 million over the next three years. These buildings will be used to accommodate Provincial Departments for office space/accommodation and this will lead to a reduced use of rented buildings.

BUILDINGS TO BE RENOVATED IN 2021/22 MTEF PERIOD:

• QwaQwa Office, Maluti A Phofung office

• Agriculture Office (Ladybrand)

• Thusanong Building (Bloemfontein)

• KGI Building (Kroonstad)

• Agriculture office (Odendaalsrus)

• Phase 2 of Tshireletsong Centre & Old Reserve Bank Building (Bloemfontein)

DELIVERY OF INFRASTRUCTURE:

As an infrastructure implementing agent for other Departments, we will once again focus on completing old projects and embark on new projects in the current financial year, 2021/22. The project management processes of the Department has been realigned to ensure improved service delivery.

THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS WILL START AND BE IMPLEMENTED DURING THE 2021/22 FINANCIAL PERIOD:

• Thandanani Clinic and Rheederspark Clinic (Welkom)

• Trompsburg Special School and Hostel (Xhariep)

• Oranjekrag School Hostel (Xhariep)

• Phase 2 Construction: Charles Mopeli Stadium (Phuthaditjhaba)

• Boitumelo Special School (Thaba Nchu)

• Morena Tshohisi School (Harrismith)

As the custodian of provincially owned state properties the Department has a mandate of maintaining these properties. The immovable asset register currently has a value of R11,1 billion with 4 872 immovable assets.

One of our key empowerment and short to long term employment drivers is the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The objective of the EPWP, especially the current Phase 4, is to provide work opportunities and income support to the poor and unemployed through the labourintensive delivery of public and community assets and services. Through this, the EPWP would be contributing towards the elimination of poverty, reduction of inequality and creation of employment.

The Programme consists of the following Sub-Programmes:

• Community Development

• Innovation and Empowerment

• Sub Programme

• Coordination and Compliance

• Monitoring Sub Programme

The Department in partnership with SALGA facilitated the creation of 9 392 work opportunities within the local government sphere. A total of 61 966 work opportunities were created by all spheres of government in the Province. A total of R328 474 million for municipal services and R436 235 million for property services was paid, though we acknowledge it was insufficient, and plans are in place to address the deficit.

17 emerging contractors under the Contractor Development Programme (CDP) were allocated infrastructure projects. This was part of phase 2 of the CDP, aimed at developing emerging contractors to become sustainable construction entities.

Under our Public Works, Construction and Maintenance Programmme we concluded the following projects while others are nearing completion:

· Hoopstad: GM Polori School

· Warden: Silindukuhle School

· Zastron: Mooifontein School

· Clocolan: Ruang Tsebo School

· Bloemfontein: Old Eureka Hostel

· Bethlehem: Rehopotswe (Bohlokong) New Primary School.

· Bloemfontein: Grassland New Primary School

· Bloemfontein: Matla Phase 2

· Welkom: Leboneng School Hostel.

The condition assessment report of various buildings has been concluded, which includes Mofumahadi Manapo Hospital, Dr JS Moroka Hospital, Boitumelo Hospital and Bongani Hospital. These hospitals will be refurbished in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), on behalf of the Department of Health. Six hospitals in the Province were administered with water saving projects/interventions, where about R14.7 million was saved under the year 2020/2021.

Poluro Hoopstad School

Issued by: Communications & Media Liaison Unit Public Works & Infrastructure OR. Tambo House Bloemfontein 9301 Enquiries can be directed to: Mlu Maqubela Tel: 051 492 3773 Cell: 082 326 2919 Email: maqubelam@fsworks.gov.za