Question NW2355 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

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24 June 2022 - NW2355

Profile picture: Graham, Ms SJ

Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

Whether, given that consecutive infrastructure report cards by the SA Institute of Civil Engineering have repeatedly shown that the Republic’s key infrastructure – including transport, electricity, water supply, education and health is at risk of failing, her department has ever conducted a nationwide infrastructure audit to determine the full extent of infrastructure resilience in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

The first phase of the cabinet-approved National Infrastructure Plan 2050 refers to the state of infrastructure in the identified sectors without necessarily providing a blow-by-blow account of the condition assessment of specific components of infrastructure under examination. The NIP 2050 proposes, amongst others, the 3-year intervention and the more long-term interventions to remedy the deteriorating infrastructure; it proposes areas of intervention, including green design elements and financing.  

In addition, ISA has entered into a collaboration agreement with the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) to support them with collating information on the condition assessment of infrastructure within the respective provinces. This will augment the accuracy of the SAICE Infrastructure Report Card.

ISA is currently embarking on a project entitled the Infrastructure Barometer of South Africa that not only focuses on the information contained in the Infrastructure Report Card but also considers other reference material such as the World Bank and infrastructure information from project sponsors. The Infrastructure Barometer of South Africa report will be published in March 2023. The broad aim of the Infrastructure Barometer is to:

  • report on the condition assessment and subsequent trends of infrastructure asset condition in South Africa by sector;
  • report on the level of access to infrastructure and subsequent services by sector;
  • develop specific Infrastructure Indices; and
  • identify critical infrastructure interventions required.

Infrastructure South Africa is conducting research on infrastructure scenarios for 2050. The scenario analysis aims to describe the implications of three different levels of acceptance of infrastructure governance and delivery of smart infrastructure by the year 2050. This report will be published by November 2022.

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