Modern, Growing, Successful Province

Department of Roads and Public Works Budget Speech

The MEC of Roads and Public Works Honourable Dawid Rooi delivered his Budget speech at the Provincial Legislature in Kimberley.

Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Honourable Premier
Members of the Executive Council
Distinguished Members of the Legislature
Our Traditional leaders Dikgosi
Distinguished guests
Comrades and friends
The people of the Northern Cape
Ladies and Gentlemen
Dumelang, good morning, goeie more, molweni.

If one could summarise the dreams and ideals of the martyrs of the struggle for a democratic South Africa into one word, it would be “integrity”.
This is exactly what our president, the honourable Jacob Zuma, unpacked in his State of the Nation Address when he emphasised the need to empower the nation economically through the creation of decent jobs; jobs that would elevate the status of the individual, the family unit, and ultimately the nation.
As a province, we have committed ourselves to combat the scourge of poverty through the creation of employment opportunities which underpin the belief of the Freedom Charter, the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.

As a department we have forged working partnerships with municipalities and service providers in an endeavour to concretise the economic integrity of the citizens of the Northern Cape by spearheading the construction of roads, construction of clinics, renovation of hospitals (e.g. Galeshewe Day Hospital), the construction of libraries and classrooms.

Economic prosperity is fundamentally dependent on investment. We can only attract investment into the province if we have the necessary infrastructure. Indeed, it is infrastructure development which is core to the success of the New Economic Growth Plan.

This is why people are busy with the construction of internal roads in Paballelo and Ikhutseng amongst other areas in the Province.
Work is continuing at Haaksteen Pan in Mier and the 300 people are benefiting from these job creation initiatives.

The EPWP Programme has played an integral part in the creation of employment opportunities in the province. Hence, I want to commend all Government Departments, Municipalities and District Councils for the successful implementation of Expanded Public Works Programme. 18 Municipalities have reported some work opportunities created by the end of the 3rd quarter. Our target is to have all 32 Municipalities in the Province reporting EPWP work opportunities.

We are making inroads into the alleviation of unemployment in the province. At this point one needs to highlight the work done on the Carnavon-Vosburg road project and the Jooste Eiland road project.

As part of our commitment to alleviate unemployment in the province, the department has fast tracked the process of filling the funded vacant posts on our approved organogram.
As part of the strategic thrust to hold the executive to greater accountability, the new cabinet innovatively introduced an outcome-based-approach to ensure efficient service delivery to our communities.

The area of service delivery which pertains to this department is the development of an “Efficient, competitive and responsive economic infrastructure network”.

Our mandate is to ensure that we maintain the already existing infrastructure at a competitive cost over the next five years.

The department has made significant strides in addressing the daunting challenges presented by inadequate roads, as well as the lack of maintenance of infrastructure and public facilities. We have astutely allocated our resources, both financial and human, to maximise our efforts at addressing these challenges.

Honourable Speaker, the Department had spent 82% of its total budget allocation of R798 million.

Unfortunately, the department will be unable to disburse the projected expenditure on infrastructure because National Treasury has recently suspended the transfer of the last trench of the Infrastructure grant.

It goes without saying that this will impact negatively on service delivery as the only option will be to roll over invoices and settle these payments in the new financial year.

Today I am standing before you to come and account for the past financial year 2010/11 and also getting a fresh mandate for the next financial 2011/12.

In the two years that I have been at the helm of this department there have been many challenges. Through effective resource management I can, without equivocation, share the following achievements with this esteemed house:
• The hosting responsibility of the Uruguay team that resulted in a number of legacy projects
• The successful implementation of rooting out the dust
• The successful completion of the following projects;
- Tsineng – Ntsweng
- Bulletrap Access road
- Completion of a number of clinics
- Completion of De Aar Secure care Centre
- Two libraries in Barkly West and Hartswater
- Nababeep – O kiep Road maintenance
- Purchasing of road plant

Honourable Speaker, when I started in office I announced that we will take back the function from the District Municipalities on maintenance of gravel roads. The department is taking back the function of maintaining all the gravel roads and minor roads in the province to ensure the optimal utilisation of the funds. The transfer of assets was already agreed between the two parties. All staff that was responsible for this function will also be transferred to the province. The department is still on cause with negotiations with the unions.

As part of this changes the department has revised the top structure to respond more effectively and efficiently to the needs our clients and communities. We have also revised the regional structures to have fully operational District offices in all five District municipalities.

Honourable Speaker during this financial year, the department awarded 8 new bursaries to its personnel in addition to 18, previously awarded. These bursaries were allocated to fields relevant to the department’s core functions, such as Engineering and Quantity Surveying.

It is my pleasure to announce here today the new plant and yellow fleet that the Department acquired. The estimated value of the plant is R17million, the first phase of another R 103 million.

The new plant and fleet is indicative of the department’s undying commitment to improved levels of service delivery.

The Department of Roads and Public Works decided to replace the old fleet to reduce breakdowns. This purchase will assist the department with road maintenance like blading gravel roads, constructing of road shoulders, road marking, patching of potholes, etc.

The new plant and fleet will also come in handy when doing in-house construction especially with the re-gravelling of gravel roads.

The new plant and fleet includes:
• 35 light delivery vehicles
• 8 multipurpose vehicles
• 6 seven ton trucks with cranes
• 20 four ton trucks
• a seven ton truck
• 6 water trucks
• 3 fuel tankers
• 6 water trucks
• 6 rollbacks
• 6 mechanical horses
• 3 tractors with mowers
• a Jetpatcher and
• a Hoffman machine.

We are confident that the condition of the provincial roads will improve. The newly purchased Hoffman Road Marker will mark a total of 1200 km of road surface that is in urgent need of remarking. The estimated price of this road marker is R 1.7 million. This machine is not only safer to use, but also three times faster than the old road marking machine.

The newly purchased tractors, with mower units. will be used to cut grass next to the provincial roads to increase visibility and reduce the number of potentially fatal vehicle accidents that involve animals.

Furthermore, I am convinced that pothole-free provincial roads will mean happier road users. The Department of Roads and Public Works went the extra mile and looked at alternative methods and machinery to try combating the backlog on pothole repairs.

We invested in a Pothole Patching Machine. The estimated cost of the new Jetpatcher machine is about R1.3 million. This machine enables the rapid filling and sealing of potholes. These machines, together with a motivated and up-skilled labour force will soon make our roads the envy of every province.

 


ROADS INFRASTRUCTURE
The Department spent R 1,5 billion in the previous 6 years on capital infrastructure projects. We will spend an additional R1.3 billion on capital infrastructure over the next three years. The spending is earmarked for maintenance, upgrading, rehabilitation and upgrading of provincial roads of economic importance.

Allow us, Honourable Speaker, to indicate to this house that the condition of our roads in the province continue to be a matter of concern to the department. We want to sensitise the house that failure by the province to maintain the roads will lead to dire consequences.
The current state of our road infrastructure, particularly our province and municipalities, is reflective of a lack of sustained investment in road maintenance over many years.

Indeed, the provision and maintenance of an integrated road infrastructure ensures safe road usage and it also facilitates socio-economic development in the Province.

It is therefore equally important to remind the members that while the department has made some strides we are still faced with the same status quo of our roads in the province as the last financial year. We are still having a gravel road network of more than 22 000 km and 3 025 km of paved roads in the province together with an additional 37 000km that was identified after the reclassification.
The proportion of poor/very poor roads is now 24% of the total network and ideally it should never be more than 10%.

Honourable speaker, it is also extremely important to remind honourable members that our province has 21% of the total road network of the country but only receives 3,5% of the entire roads budget and while the backlog is R5,4 billion.

Honourable Members, if maintenance continues to be delayed due to inadequate funding, the surface condition of the paved and unpaved roads will continue to deteriorate. It therefore becomes very important for the province to reconsider its funding methods as the construction industry has a high annual price escalation, on materials, machinery and the cost price of professionals. For example, we may delay the implementation of a project for the next two years and pay much more later due to price escalation and the depreciating condition of a road.

The province experienced extensive flood damage. During the recent floods, many roads were damaged. The estimated cost for flood damage to our road infrastructure is R264 million.

MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS
Honourable Speaker, we reported to the house during the previous financial year that the department had envisaged a number of projects that would commence or reach completion during the said year. These include the following.

• We entered into an agreement on a shared financial responsibility with BHP Billiton for the construction of the 20 km of road between Hotazel and Tsineng. Both parties agree to contribute R22 million each towards to project. The project was devided into two phases. Phase 1 have started at an estimated cost of 24,6 million will be completed by May 2011. The total job opportunities created are 20.

• The upgrading of the 44 km road between Churchhill – Bendel at an estimated cost of R 89 million. This road serves as a link for the Kuruman and Bendel Communities. The construction cost amounts to R64 million. The job opportunities created are 28

• After the completion of the construction of the road between Britstown to Vosburg the department commenced with the upgrading of the road between Vosburg – Carnarvon. This Road will enhance accessibility to basic services for the community of Britstown, Carnarvon and Vosburg and will also increase movement of agricultural products offered by Calvinia and neighbouring towns. The construction cost amounts to R185 million. The job opportunities created is 55.

UPSCALING OF EPWP
As part of ensuring community access to service delivery points, EPWP upscaling was introduced. It was also to ensure job creation in the nearby communities by employing labour intensive methods in the construction of the access roads. The department undertook the following upscaling of EPWP projects in the previous financial year.

• The extension of the Bulletrap access road project included upgrading of the 1.1km gravel street through the village to paved standard at the cost of R3.9mil. This project created 50 job opportunities and was completed on 30 June 2010.

• The upgrading of the 6.9km Jooste Eiland Access Road connecting N10 near Upington to the community of Jooste Eiland. The construction started on 08 July 2010 and the project is expected to be completed end of May 2011 at a cost of R23 million. The job opportunities created is 145.

• The upgrading of 5.5km road is connecting Upington and the Karakoel Research Centre, will be upgraded to surfaced standard. The construction started on 09 September 2010 and the project is expected to be completed end of May 2011 at a cost of R21 million. The job opportunities created is 120.

• The upgrading of the 6.5km connecting the community of UAP to the N14 national road. The construction started on 09 September 2010 and the project is expected to be completed end of May 2011 t a cost of R22 million. The job opportunities created are 135.

• The upgrading of the 2,6 km road connecting the community of Longlands to the R31 road. The project started during March 2009 at a cost of R9 million. The job opportunities created are 120.

MAINTENANCE
Routine maintenance includes all necessary operations such as pothole repair and crack sealing and scraping of gravel roads. We spent R64 million on gravel roads and R30 million on surfaced roads.
With the shortage of road maintenance staff, the department appointed a number of contractors to do routine maintenance on some of the roads to the value of R60 million.

Road Project Cost
Colesberg - Norvalspond R 7,9 million
Colesberg - Phillpolis phase 1 R 8,5 million
Kuruman D310 R 4,5 million
Kuruman D325 R 4,5 million
Louisvale-kanon Eiland R 3 million
Phillipstown - Hanover R 6,5 million
Prieska - Spitskop R 4,5 million
R 600 (Richmond - EC border) R 3 million
Postmasburg - Kathu R 8,5 million
Steinkoph pass R 12 million
Total R 60,4 million

As part of our preventive maintenance we have done resealing and regravelling the following roads;
• The road between Prieska to Douglas went out on tender and construction started during 23 August 2010 and was completed by end of January 2011.The project completed at a cost of R38 million.

• The road between Upington to Ashkam went out on tender and construction started during 18 January 2011 and is anticipated to be completed by end of June 2011 and R 6 Million was spent during this financial year.

PUBLIC WORKS
Honourable Speaker, the Department of Roads and Public Works is the custodian of the executive function relating to Public Works in the province. The core function of Public Works is the construction, maintenance and management of public infrastructure in the province.

Client departments are reminded that the mandate of Public Works is the construction and maintenance of public infrastructure. Instead of clients department doing construction and maintenance projects themselves; they need to engage Roads and Public Works from the planning stages of such projects. This will just strengthen our working relations.

Property Management
Honourable Speaker, as intimated earlier one of the key tasks of the Department of Roads and Public Works is to manage the state’s immovable assets. We have appointed additional staff to resolve our capacity problem in our effort to finalise the identification and verification as well as the vesting process. The total number of state owned immovable assets has increased from 2026 to 2039. Most of these properties must still be vested in the name of the province.

Honourable speaker let me also remind members of this house that the Government Immovable Asset Management Act (GIAMA) came into effect from the 1st April 2010. This act requires us as custodians to have a maintenance management system that will ensure a complete conditional assessment of all state properties.

We are currently identifying buildings that are no longer economically viable in order to decide on the best disposal strategy.

Honourable speaker as custodians of immovable properties the department constructed the following projects on behalf of its client departments.

Kimberley Conference Centre (Multi-year Project)
The project consists of the construction of a 2 500 seater convention centre. The budget for the programme amounts to R 98.0 million. The project is now is approximately 79% complete and is anticipated that the project will be completed at the end of June 2011. The number of job opportunities created is 200.

We have is implemented a total of 59 infrastructure projects on behalf of the Department of Education. Of these 59 projects which consisted of Ablution Blocks, Classroom Blocks, Science Labs, Admin Blocks, Computer Classroom, Conversion of Offices, Media Centres, ECD Classrooms and New Schools. The following projects were

• In Frances baard we constructed 21 projects at a cost of R 24,6 million and created 178 job opportunities all of them will be completed by May 2011.
• In Pixely ka Seme we constructed 10 projects at a cost of R 41,1 million and created 115 job opportunities.
• In John Toalo Gaetsewe we constructed 13 projects at a cost of R 40,6 million and created 158 job opportunities.
• In Siyanda we constructed 9 projects at a cost of R 8,3 million and created 73 job opportunities.
• In Namakwa we constructed 5 projects at a cost of R 3,6 million and created 47 job opportunities.


For the Department of Health, a total number of 22 infrastructure projects were identified. Of these 22 projects the following are worth mentioning:

The construction of 10 new clinics in Novalspond, Grootmier, Riemvasmaak, Boitshoko, Mapoteng, Gamopedi and Deerham, KaGung, Smidtsdrift, Welkom clinics. The estimated budget is R 74 million. Of these, 3 are in planning phase, 4 are under construction and between 10% and 90% complete and 3 are completed. Gamopedi and Deerham clinics are implemented under the Contractor Development Programme.

Community Health Care Centres
The programme consists of the construction of 2 new CHC’s namely in Williston and Port Nolloth. The estimated budget is R 60 million. Of these, 1 is in documentation phase and 1 under construction.

New Upington Hospital (Multi-year Project)
Honourable Speaker, this hospital will serve as a 267 bed regional hospital for the Western Region of the Northern Cape. The site was handed over in November 2008. The project is divided into four phases namely the earthworks and platform, main building, external civil work and the housing complex. The total project budget is approximately R 580m and is scheduled for completion in November 2011. The project created 300 job opportunities.

• The earthworks contract has been completed.
• Phase 1: The main building is 74% complete .
• The construction of the access road to the hospital is in design and it is anticipated that it would be completed with the main building.


New Upington Hospital Housing Complex
The project consists of the construction of site infrastructure and housing units. The project budget is approximately R 43 million. The project is in tender phase and is anticipated that construction will start in May 2011. t is anticipated that the project would create 50 job opportunities.

New De Aar Hospital
This hospital will serve as a 159 bed regional hospital including a TB unit. The total project budget is approximately R 382 million. The project is in the design phase (working drawings). Tenders to be called for in April 2011 and site handover envisaged for June 2011. The tender document for the TB unit will be ready mid March and site handover envisaged for end April 2011. It is anticipated that the project would create 200 job opportunities.

New De Aar Hospital: Housing Complex
The project consists of the construction of site infrastructure and housing units. The project budget is approximately R 25 million. The projects are under construction and 10% complete.

Galeshewe Day Hospital: Upgrading of the Complex
The project consists of the upgrading of the pharmacy unit. The estimated budget is R 6 million. The project is in under construction and 59% complete.

New Mental Health Facility (Multi-year Project)
The contract was terminated on 7 December 2009 due to unsatisfactory performance by the Contractor. The Contractor was liquidated on 23 September 2010. Legal matters relating to the cancellation of the contract not yet resolved. We have also initiated a forensic audit on this project.

The tender for the completion of the works was advertised and are currently being evaluated. The estimated cost is R 300 million. It is anticipated that the project would create 250 job opportunities.

DEPARTMENT OF SPORT ARTS AND CULTURE
Honourable Speaker, the department is implementing 6 infrastructure projects on behalf of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. Of these 6 projects:

District and Community Libraries
The construction of the District Library in Nababeep has started at a cost of R 11 million. The project is 15% completed.

Provincial Archives Repository
The project consists of the construction of a Provincial Archives Repository in Kimberley. The budget for the programme amounts to R 15 million. The site establishment was done. The department is currently awaiting approval for the transfer of a strip of land belonging to the Sol Plaatje Municipality. This will allow the positioning of the building closer to the edge of the road. The land would also be required for access to the Archives.

Kimberley Theatre: Repairs and Upgrading
The project consists of the repairs and upgrading of the facility. The budget for the project amounts to R 12 million. The project is under construction and 30% complete.

Kimberley AR Abass Stadium: Repairs and Upgrading
The project consists of the construction of a new perimeter wall and the upgrading of the two pitches at the facility. The budget for the project amounts to R 11 million. The project is under construction and 10% complete.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Honourable Speaker, the department is implementing this project on behalf of the Department of agriculture:


Rietrivier: Upgrading of Conference Facility
The project consists of the upgrading of existing structure to a conference facility. The budget for the programme is R 1.5 million. The project is under construction and 35% complete.

EXPANDED PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME
Members of this house, as we all know that this financial year is dedicated to the creation of jobs, we are happy to announce in this house that the department is also embarking on job creation programmes.
Employment creation and poverty alleviation is a key government priority and EPWP remains the most important vehicle for government to directly create employment opportunities and reach both the poor and the marginalised.
We are full swing in the second year of the Second Phase of EPWP with the aim of creating 4,5 million work opportunities nationally in the next 5 years. The honourable Premier signed a protocol with the Minister of Public Works in 2009, in which she committed the Province to provide 106, 193 work opportunities for the 5 year period (2009-2014).
Honourable Speaker, the Provincial target for 2009/2010 financial year was surpassed by more than 800 job opportunities.
This 2010/11 financial year, the Province created an overall 15 139 job opportunities. These include work opportunities created by National Departments in the Province, Provincial Departments, Municipalities and Non-State Sector.

As a province our Provincial Target is 14 031 work opportunities. At the end of the 3rd Quarter (i.e. until 31st December 2010) the Province had achieved 4 684 job opportunities (32% of the target), across all Sectors. This excludes Municipalities, who created additional 2,697 work opportunities against a target 4 192 job opportunities; and National Departments in the Province which created an additional 6 967 job opportunities.

The sectors that make up the provincial target did not perform that well and the Province runs the risk of not reaching its annual target. The sectors performed as follows at the end of December 2010.
• Infrastructure sectors 32%
• Social sector 81%
• Environmental sector 9%

It is with great concern to acknowledge that we are way below the expected 75% target at the end of the third quarter as a province. The only sector that performed well and continues to do so is the social sector while the Environment and Culture sector is really struggles to make any impact. The no of job opportunities created under the infrastructure sector were all created by my department using our own budgets.

Honourable Speaker, this is not as if we do not create the job opportunities but as a result of poor reporting by implementing bodies resulting in continues under-performance by the Province.

Rooting out the dust
As part of the contribution towards rural development the Department introduced the programme “Rooting out the Dust”. This programme is aimed at upgrading access and internal roads at municipalities and also to create as many job opportunities as possible.
The Department, through this concept, allocated a budget of R45 million for the implementation of projects in impoverish areas. The projects created an additional 1 244 work opportunities across the 5 districts municipalities and consist of:
? Drainage cleaning and vegetation control along road reserves;
? Upgrading of access roads;
? Manufacturing of kerb stones;
? School refurbishment programme;
? Debushing and vegetation control;

The Premier of the province has launched the rooting out the dust program last year in Marydale. The main aim of the program is to eliminate the dusty streets in our township and also create job opportunities. The program created to date 1 244 job opportunities on this program on 18 labour intensive projects. The budget was allocated as follows:
Project Description Job opportunities Project Value
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Repair of internal street in Richtersveld 100 R 2,9 million
Manufacturing of Kerb Stones, in Karoo hoogland 60 R 1,3 million
Upgrading of the Schmidtsdrift Access road 52 R3,7 million
Upgrading of Mothlamola Access Road 44 4,3 million


PROJECT IN PROGRESS
Paving of Streets in Pabalelo , Upington 80 R 5,6 million
Upgrading of Berg Street: Williston 60 R 1,1 million
Upgrading of different roads in different towns, Nama Khoi 60 R 2,7 million
Eradication of Alien species in Khai Ma 30 R 278 465
Upgrading of access and internal Roads in Kamiesberg Municipalities (Kharkams & Klipfontein) 90 R 5,5 million
Upgrading of Access and Internal roads in Siyathemba (Marydale & Niekerkshoop) 80 R 11,5 million
Eradication of alien vegetation and road site maintenance in 8 villages under Joe Morolong 300 R 3,6 million
Access Road Victoria West 64 R1,2 million
Access Road Renosterberg (Phillipstown, Van Wyksvlei & Petrusville) 60 R 3,7 million

The Department plans to increase the labour intensity as well as the duration on our projects. We intend increasing projects to 25 where we plan to create 1,400 job opportunities. The process of inviting Municipalities to submit business plans for the next phase of labour intensive projects is underway.

As part of our Poverty Alleviation strategy the following projects were undertaken and have been completed;
Project Description Job opportunities Project Value
Cleaning of overgrown weeds and paving at the Mothibistad Regional Office 35 R103 615
Fencing of graveyard (Montana) 60 R300 000
Clearing of De Aar Hospital site 60 R300 000

Contractor Development
Honourable Speaker, the Contractor Development Program is now gaining momentum. The Department has finalised the Contractor Development Policy and Targeting Strategies. Our internal procurement processes are also being aligned to support this program and will soon introduce the PE Status (Potentially Emerging) to our tenders. The program has also been recently aligned with the National Contractor Development Program assisted by the CIDB. The strategy aims at targeting contractors from Grade 2 – 6 and not grade 3 – 7 as we had initially intended. The exclusion of higher grading contractors from the program is due to the fact that contractors that are already on these higher grades mostly require performance enhancement programs and not necessarily the basic contractor development programs earmarked for smaller contractors. The Department is working very closely with CIDB to map out those programs that will benefit our middle to higher graded contractors to ensure that we have sustainable contracting firms in the NCape.

The purpose of the Contractor Development Program is to create an enabling environment within which selected existing contracting enterprises can develop into sustainable contracting enterprises. Key elements for this program include:
• Ensuring steady access to work opportunities by ring-fencing projects for the duration of the program.
• Mentorship and support to the contractors participating in the programme.
We have appointed seven (7) mentors to provide mentorship programs for the contractors participating in the program.
In order to increase the knowledge base of contractors and as part of the program we are happy to announce to this house that a total of 34 contractors who are on the database attended a 5 day accredited and certificated NQF 4 Labour Intensive Construction Training. The detailed course included modules and practical problem solving on the application of Labour Intensive Construction (LIC) techniques and on activities such as:
• Sanitation projects;
• Roads and storm water; and
• Construction, repairs & maintenance of structures.
This training is still in progress in the JT Gaetsewe area and the number of contractors that will benefit from this prestigious training program will increase.
9 of these contractors were for Routine Road Maintenance program which the Department is going to roll out under this program, in the coming financial year (2011/2012).

Honourable speaker, I need to express my sincere appreciation to our partners, who funded these training programs. The cost for these training programs was approximately R250 000.00, and we funded through our partnership by CIDB and Afrisam, Pretoria. We have begun our discussions with CETA (Construction SETA) in our effort to have more of such partnerships.

National Youth Service
As part of providing skills to the youth we introduced the Phakamile Mabija Artisan Programme which is on track, although 4 learners of the 39 that were originally sent for training are no longer part of the program for various reasons. The remaining 35 were placed at COEGA member companies in the Eastern Cape such as:
- Algoa Toyota
- Marina Salt
- Eveready
- ROVD Engineering
- Borbet SA
- ROCLA
- Bisho Steel
- Halberg Guss

I must mention Honourable Speaker that these learners are receiving valuable working experience through a structured training program, where logsheets are expected to be fully completed for the learners to finally qualify to write their trade tests, after which they will qualify as full artisans. Some of the learners must acquire the N2 Qualifications at FETs before they are ready for trade tests at the end of the 18 months programmes. The Department is engaging the National Skills Fund (NSF) through National Public Works to facilitate funding for these learners to go to FETs for their N2. The intention is to ensure that we have fully qualified artisans at the end of program, a skill that is highly sought in the Province and the Country as a whole. These learners are engaged in the following trades:
- Fitting and turning,
- Boilermaking,
- Diesel mechanics.

The Department is looking at engaging local big firms that have structured training programs for us to roll out this Artisan Training Program. We are also looking if we do not require some of these skills in the department in order to appoint some of these learners once they have completed trade test.

Finally under the Expanded Public Works Programme, I am happy to announce to this house that the Province scooped 4 prestigious awards in the National KAMOSO AWARDS that was held in Pretoria on the 07 March 2011. The Kamoso award is a celebration of the government and the people working together to confront our socio economic challenges head on and celebrating the best practices and success stories in EPWP.
The awards are for the:
• Best Local Municipality Infrastructure: Sol Plaatje
• Best Province: Home Community Based Care
• Best Province: Social Sector
• Best Non State Project (NGO): Oasis Skills Development Centre: Upington

OUTLOOK FOR 2011/12
Honourable Members, The total budget of the department for 2011/12 financial year is R756 million of which 67% is allocated to the roads infrastructure programme.

The conditional grant has been curtailed by 27% i.e from R425 million in 2010/11 to R308 million in 2011/12 financial year. In real terms this translates into R117 million.

This poses a serious risk to effective service delivery, especially when one considers the infrastructure damage caused by the recent floods.

Honourable speaker as part of our skills development programme for our staff we envisage the following interventions:
• Enrol officials for adult basic education & training level 4
• Enrol employees for first year further education & training
• Road surface maintenance NQF level 2 learnership
• Implementation of graduate and student internship in order for them to gain work experience
• The development of further studies through the departmental bursary scheme and
• Professionalising the department through the registering of employees with their respective professional bodies.

In the new financial year the department will intensify its labour-based programme through implementation of projects throughout the province within the framework of the Expanded Public Works Programme.

Honourable Speaker, for the coming financial year (2011/2012) our target is to create 19 085 work opportunities for provincial departments and 4 192 work opportunities for municipalities.
Job Opportunities per sector
• Infrastructure Sector 9 587
• Environment Sector 5 126
• Social Sector 4 371

The Department will intensify support and coordination to ensure that all implementing bodies report all work opportunities created. This will further assist us to access the incentive allocation given to participating and reporting government departments. This much needed incentive will assist a lot in funding more projects thus creating more work opportunities.
The Department is also intending to implement for the first in the Province, Food for Waste Projects. My Department is finalising the plans to pilot these at:
- Hantam Municipality (Namakwa)
- Magareng Municipality (Francis Baard).
This program will be expanded as soon as we have perfected it in order to reach more poor communities.

Members of the house even with the reduction in the allocation for infrastructure we have developed the Maintenance Strategy with the key intention of transferring skills and creating jobs for local communities by developing SMME’s in the province to do the maintenance of gravel roads. The project is part of the contractor development program by appointing contractors with cidb grading between grade 3 and grade 6 to do maintenance on the paved roads.

Additional to this initiative we will also appointed 145 additional road workers for the maintenance of the paved roads.
Honourable speaker we are busy to resurrect the Tswelelopele training centre. This is to train the road workers that we intent to appoint but also to further the skills of the others to enable them to apply for higher positions.

We are still emphasising a major review of the funding model for road infrastructure. With the funding available, the department will be hard pressed to upgrade and repair the 43% of the paved road network that requires immediate attention.

To further deal with the backlog on maintenance we put in place a replacement strategy for the motor graders.
• 20 new machines has been ordered
• We will refurbish 20 of the graders
• We will do major repairs on the machines that will be available immediately once it is repaired

Hopetown – Douglas
With the identification of tourism roads and economic routes within the Province to enhance infrastructure for economic growth and social development the Douglas – Hopetown road was selected for upgrading. Crop raising and mining is some of the major economic activities around this area and this road plays an important part in the development of these economic activities.
During 2008 the Department entered into a joint venture agreement with Sham-Mok technical services for the design of the road between Hopetown and Douglas. Sham-Mok through the department of Trade and Industry would contribute 30% towards the project. The design for the project was completed during 2009/10 financial year. The estimated cost for the project amounts to R240 million and it is anticipated that the construction would start during July 2011. It is anticipated that the project would create 75 job opportunities.
Hondeklip Bay – Garies road
The road link Hindeklip bay with the N7 near Garies. This road is part of the overall strategy in that area to promote tourism since De Beers is in the process of withdrawing. The road will be upgraded form a gravel road. We have already appointed Engineers for the design of the road. The estimated cost of road amounts to R240 million. It is anticipated that the project would create 75 job opportunities.

Honourable speaker the following projects was identified by our client department for the 2011/12 financial year.

A total of 64 infrastructure projects were identified by the Department of Education for the 2011/2012 financial year. The programme consists of the construction of
• 8 Early Childhood Development (ECD) Classrooms classroom units at a budget for R 11 million.
• 2 New Schools at a budget R 10.5 million.
• 12 Ablution Blocks units at a budget of R 8.1 million.
• 8 Administration Blocks at a budget of R 10.8 million.
• 8 Classroom Blocks at a budget of R9.6 million.
• 7 Computer classrooms at a budget of R 5.3 million.
• 4 Conversion of Offices at a cost of R 6.5 million.
• 6 Media Centres (Libraries) at a cost of R5.7 million
• 5 Science Laboratories at a cost of R 4.8 million

The construction of the new Alpha Primary school in De Aar will commence at a cost of R28 million. The construction of the project is anticipated to start in April 2011.

 

A total of 4 infrastructure projects were identified by the Department of Health for the 2011/2012 financial year.

Postmasburg Hospital
This hospital will serve as a 46 bed regional hospital for the surrounding area. The estimated budget is R 220 million. The project is in the planning phase. The Department of Health is currently in the process of compiling a business case. In terms of the IDIP processes only the planning will be done during this financial year.

New Clinics
The programme consists of the construction of 3 new clinics in Kagung, Smidtsdrift, Welkom clinics. The estimated budget for the programme is R 15 million.

Honourable members, allow me now to take this opportunity to table an amount of R756 million for the 2011/12 as follows:
Programme Allocation
Administration (9% of the total budget) R 69 million
Public Works (14% of the total budget) R104 million
Road Infrastructure (67% of the total budget) R506 million
Community Based Programme (10% of the total budget) R 77 million
Total Budget Allocation R756 million

 

 


Conclusion
In conclusion, this department has tirelessly toiled to maintain the integrity of the hopes and ideals of the stalwarts of the struggle, men and women who purchased our democracy with their own blood.
We thank the house for the opportunity to account for the manner in which we have allocated our resources to maximise the impact on our common challenges of infrastructure development, job creation and the conflict against poverty.
We are grateful for the opportunity to expound on the challenges and the tangibly innovative methods of advancing effective service delivery in the province.
We thank the municipalities who joined forces with us to ensure a triple tiered onslaught on the challenges facing this province. In particular, I have to congratulate the Sol Plaatje who went to great lengths to address the pothole issue prior on the eve of the 2010 World Cup soccer spectacular.
This province managed to ensure that Kimberley serve as a base camp to Uruguayan team that went on to reach the semi-finals of this particular event. We also improved the ABSA stadium so successfully that FIFA rated it as one of the best pitches.
Yes together we can work to do more. We can move with speed to deliver improved governmental services to the people of this province.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Northern Cape government is on the right track to deliver improved services to the community, business partners and all departmental clients.
You have demonstrated your compassion during Mandela Day by reaching out to the poorest of the poor. Lets applaud this intervention to change the lives of people and lets strive to do more.
Honourable Premier and my colleagues in the Executive Council, thank you for your ongoing support and advice, your strategic direction, and commitment to the goal and objectives of the Department.

Members of the Legislature and especially those of the Standing Committee, I thank you for your support and advice in assisting us in meeting our targets to upgrade and develop infrastructure for the benefit of all people in the Northern Cape.

To our many stakeholders in the Roads and Public Works sectors; thank you for your partnerships and your commitment.

To staff members in the Department; I thank you for your unwavering dedication and hard work towards improving the situation rather than responding to critics; for taking responsibility rather than passing the blame and for providing me with intelligent and capable individuals who personify the Department’s commitment to efficient and effective service delivery. I value the gift of having dedicated professionals like you in my life.

I also wish to thank the team in the Ministry as well as the VIP team.

Finally I would like to thank my wonderful family for their support, patience and understanding.

Ke a leboga!!!
Ndiyabulela!
Thank you
Baie dankie

Mail Us

Office of the Premier 
Private Bag X5016 
Kimberley 
8301

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