Officials from Head Office and Regions attended the Departmental Strategic Planning Session on 9 July 2019 to discuss key priorities of the Department for 2020 – 2025. MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Ms Peggy Nkonyeni addressed the gathering where she highlighted a need for Public Works to devise turnaround strategy that will encourage client departments to choose Public Works on service delivery projects than commissioning projects to other implementing agencies. She said for the department to be regarded as the implementing agent of choice, it must come up with up with innovative ideas to ensure high performance as expected by client departments.
Strategic Analysis Director, Ms Jean Makhaye presented a report, which covered the priorities of the Department for the years 2020 – 2025 such as institutionalisation of IDMS, restructuring for a service-focused department through a new Service Delivery Model. Property Management related priorities presented focused on reducing rentals through the construction of state owned facilities such as the Provincial Precinct in collaboration with other departments including the Office of the Premier and the Legislature are some of the priorities – including the maximum use of existing state facilities, stabilising rates and improving maintenance of state buildings.
The department will also focus on growing spending on Eyesizwe Contractor Development Programme to increase Radical Socio-Economic Transformation, while ensuring the effective co-ordination of EPWP to improve government-led job creation. One of the key priorities is to tap into the Oceans Economy by contributing in the development of requisite skills and building a social compact with business/ labour and communities.
During the session, Head of Department – Dr Gaster Sharpley facilitated and chaired the role-playing-panel discussion with officials on “what can we do better to reclaim the mandate of Public Works as an implementing agent of choice?” The discussion covered other issues related to the priorities of the Department. By the close of business DDG Corporate Services, Mr Phiweyo Duma presented the resolutions that were adopted.
