The Department of Public Works, as the infrastructure implementing agent of choice of the KwaZulu Natal Government, is expanding its wings through the development and implementation of the Strategic Infrastructure Development Agency (SIDA). This is after the KZN Provincial Executive Council resolved to establish the SIDA as an entity that will in future co-ordinate, plan, monitor and implement catalytic infrastructure projects within the Province.
The Provincial Executive Council noted that the Departments dealing with infrastructure projects within the Province utilize consultants excessively, and outsource some of the work which should be done in house. The establishment of the SIDA will help build the technical capacity in house, capable to plan, develop, and implement mega infrastructure projects in the Province.
The SIDA Driver, Mr Mlamuli Buthelezi, an engineer by profession, alluded to the fact that the SIDA will also venture into the Oceans Economy - which is a specialized field that presents new opportunities for the people of the Province. “The Oceans Economy will create new job opportunities in the Province as we venture more into what our coastline and territorial waters have to offer. Equally, the economic activity within our two major ports presents unique opportunities that our youth should be interested in” Mr Buthelezi said.
SIDA will be the custodian of the Provincial Infrastructure Master Planning process, and thereby ensure the integration of our infrastructure plans between Government departments, as well as different spheres of Government. SIDA will furthermore have a duty of facilitating and enabling Private Sector Participation in the strategic infrastructure projects of the Province.
Once fully established, SIDA will indeed put the Province on the map as we become more efficient in the planning and execution of our catalytic infrastructure projects, in a manner that will unlock new employment opportunities for our people, and contribute significantly towards the much needed growth of our Provincial GDP.