Pretoria - The Pietersdal office block, constructed to accommodate employees working on a water project, has been handed over to the Free State provincial government to assist in bringing government services to the people.
Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Buyelwa Sonjica said she hoped the facility would also assist in promoting the involvement of communities in the provision of government services.
"By involving the communities we hope this will lead to improved services and greater efficiency. Most importantly, we hope this facility will assist to build stronger community support and accountability for government services," said Sonjica.
The building was constructed during the implementation of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project to accommodate the employees working on the project.
The project, Africa's largest water transfer scheme, is aimed at transfering water to the central Gauteng province where the majority of industrial and mining activity occurs in South Africa, while simultaneously generating hydroelectric power and a source of income for the people of Lesotho.
It was developed in partnership between the governments of Lesotho and South Africa.
On completion of the project, the Department of Water Affairs embarked on a process to ensure that these and similar buildings were transferred to entities that would utilise them in a sustainable and productive manner.
"Therefore, we hope that service provision in this building will be sourced from the surrounding communities in an empowering manner. Both the Department of Water Affairs and Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) support transformation and socio economic development objectives which enhance skills development, capacity building and empowerment in the true sense," said the minister.
She added that the building should not become a "white elephant".
