Rebuilding an Economically Vibrant KwaZulu-Natal Through Public Works
Article and Images by Sibongile Dlangalala
MAYVILLE: On Tuesday, 02 May 2023 the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba hosted a Post-Budget Votes Media Engagement to reaffirm his hard-line stance on the implementation of service delivery commitments mirrored in the 2023-2024 Budget Policy Speech presentations.
The aforesaid engagement held in Mayville - Durban, covered both sister Departments under Vote 14 (Public Works) and 8 (Human Settlements), respectively. This session paved a way for Journalists to capture first-hand information from the MEC as he articulated his position and insight on how the R1.7 Billion Budget allocation for the Department of Public Works will be utilized throughout the current financial year.
Members of the media were afforded an opportunity to pose questions of clarity followed by the MEC’s detailed responses which were packaged for public consumption and benefit.
The MEC reiterated his resolute posture and appetite for service delivery when he ventilated the expected improvements to be commissioned by the KZN Department of Public Works in ensuring delivery of infrastructure to the people of KwaZulu-Natal.
According to the MEC, in no time from now, the Department will take a centre stage when embarking on a series of project sites visits aimed at practically gauging the amount of progress made thus far, since the initiation phase of each project. His oversight role will be targeting schools, clinics, unoccupied and hijacked state buildings which must be reclaimed by government as a sole custodian of such infrastructure as mentioned herein. Extensive support will be galvanized from law enforcement agencies to come on board and robustly confront any wrongdoing pertaining to hooliganism and unauthorised occupation of government buildings.
During the actual Budget Speech presentation held at the KZN Legislature recently, and again during the aforesaid media engagement, it came to light that, the budget allocation for the Department of Public Works is as follows:
• Atleast R839 476 has been allocated towards Property Management, with
• R448 million which has been directed to address Administration related matters.
• Over R450 million of the budget is allocated towards the provision of buildings, structures and equipment.
• Over 25% of the overall budget allocation will be set aside for the erection and acquisition of buildings, structures and engineering works and the maintenance of buildings to client specifications.
In this current financial year, the department will intensify efforts of repositioning itself towards being the preferred implementing agent of choice and a key driver of employment through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
The Department seeks to always fight with relentless ferocity against corruption and any acts of malfeasance.
