Question NW1354 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
15 May 2023 - NW1354
Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
Whether, with reference to the response of the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, to the debate on the State of the Nation Address wherein he conceded that there has been severe underinvestment in public infrastructure over the years with increasing evidence of a deterioration in the quality of public infrastructure, (a) he will consider instituting a national public infrastructure audit to ascertain the quality of major public infrastructure in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
Infrastructure investment is critical to South Africa’s economic welfare, recognising that the provision of superior quality infrastructure allows an economy to be more efficient, improves productivity levels and raises long-term growth and living standards. Accelerating the pace and quality of infrastructure in the country requires a whole-of-government approach and establishing an enabling environment for private sector participation.
The DPWI, amongst others, relies on period publications by both public and private sector institutions such as the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE)’s 2022 Infrastructure Report Card for South Africa and Stats SA’s Capital Expenditure by the Public Sector Report to track where infrastructure investment is taking place and the quantum thereof.
The DPWI coordinates the efforts of government to ensure that high quality public infrastructure takes place to achieve the targets set out in the National Development Plan. The DPWI will not be duplicate audits that have already been undertaken on the quality of major public infrastructure, but will focus its efforts on coordinating public sector infrastructure investment programme and working closely with the private sector to increase the pace and quality of infrastructure investments in South Africa.
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MR. S ZIKALALA, MP
MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
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