The Independent Development Trust (IDT) is creating opportunities in the construction sector and continues to enhance the sector as a catalyst for the growth of the economy in South Africa, the 5th Project and Construction Management Professions Conference in Boksburg was told in October.
IDT Deputy Chairperson, Alan Baloyi, highlighted the importance of the sector as a catalyst for growth saying that the IDT will be creating numerous opportunities for the sector.
Baloyi explained that the IDT will be establishing a Panel of Building Contractors for infrastructure projects that the IDT would implement, with an objective of having a readily available pool of contractors which can be invited to tender for the General Building (GB) class of works from time to time. This panel will be spread across all the nine regions of the IDT.
The Honourable Minister of Public Works, Nkosinathi Nhleko addressed the conference and expressed concern regarding occupational health and safety contraventions in the construction sector as well as the need to build capacity of inspections to prevent collapse of private buildings and public infrastructure.
The Conference tackled issues that the construction industry faced and explored opportunities to help the industry moving forward. These included a Masterclass on construction industry ethics, which was one of the main focal points given the potential for corruption in the industry.
According to the organisers, the IDT was invited to the conference to speak and share best practices as a major player for social infrastructure, having successfully implemented and completed educational, correctional services, justice and health facilities projects throughout the country, and generally being a major agent towards the improvement of the living conditions of all South Africans.
In the past five years the IDT supported 40 government departments including building 97 new schools and 36 new health facilities while renovating hundreds more and created more than 360 000 work opportunities in various communities through its implementation of social infrastructure programmes and the Expanded Public Works Programme.
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