GDID to spend 4.5billion rand on social infrastructure in the next three years
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By: Alfred Nhlapo

As part of managing a diverse and complex portfolio of infrastructure projects ranging from construction of schools, community centres, libraries and clinics, the Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) has introduced the first ever project pipeline portfolio. The pipeline, described as a multi-billion, multi-year infrastructure project portfolio will be implemented over three years. 

MEC for Infrastructure Development Jacob Mamabolo officially launched the multibillion-rand Project Pipeline at a media briefing on Tuesday 8 May 2018, in Westhoven, west of Johannesburg.

Speaking to the media, MEC Mamabolo emphasised that the project pipeline would be used to prioritise projects which are ready for implementation, and also track and monitor them so as to improve infrastructure delivery to Gauteng communities.

“This forms part of a new initiative by the department to speed up the dire social infrastructure backlog stalling development of many communities in the province. The intention is to correct many challenges related to the management of this huge and complex project portfolio, following years of poor planning, project delays, overspending as well as weaknesses in the management of quality”, said Mamabolo.  

All the identified projects are profiled into three categories, namely Platinum, Silver and Coal.  The first one, Platinum has a list of 63 projects planned for delivery during the current 2018/19 financial year, with projects valued at R459 million. They have all been vetted for elimination of risk and scope creep to ensure the delivery period is not delayed or extended. The second category is Silver, consisting of 188 projects which are projects planned for delivery during the 2019/20 financial year and estimated at R966 million. Lastly, the Coal category consists of 89 projects that are planned for delivery in the 2021/22 financial year with an estimated value estimate of R260 million. 

MEC Mamabolo stressed that underperforming construction companies would no longer be tolerated and all contractors working on the 63 platinum projects this financial year would be held accountable. 

He said a proactive front-end planning and adherence to standard operational procedures was critical to improving project execution and timely infrastructure delivery, beyond client expectations.

The Head of Department Mr Bethuel Netshiswinzhe said over the last two years the department had put a lot of effort in building the business model to deliver quality infrastructure. He said this was based on the DID Project Readiness Matrix, which is the department’s litmus test for the readiness of projects for implementation. 

The department will also make information about pipeline project performance available on a regular basis through its online platforms including Lutsinga Monitor, DID website, and the department’s online stakeholder newsletter.

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