Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson, has confirmed that there will be no procuring of any new housing stock or offices for both the new Executive and Parliamentarians.
“The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure… has confirmed that while the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is facilitating a smooth ushering-in of both the Executive and Members of Parliament for the 7th Administration, by providing work offices and residential accommodation, there will be no procuring of any new housing stock or offices for both the Executive and Parliamentarians alike,” the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) said.
In its statement on Thursday, the department said the new Minister had indicated that allocations will be made from the existing state properties and that “no requests for new procurement will be entertained.”
The DPWI added that there will be no spending on existing properties and Members of the Executive and Members of Parliament will have to make do with existing furniture.
Similarly, no new office rentals will be accommodated.
“As the department responsible for the accommodation of the Executive and Members of Parliament, we will house all members from the available properties of the state. We will not rent or lease any accommodation or office space. The department has confirmed to me that there is enough available stock to meet the needs of both the executive and Members of Parliament,” said the Minister.
He added that the tight fiscal position of the state is a paramount consideration for the decision.
“Our economy cannot accommodate requests for the procurement of new accommodation. Moreover, we have listened to the message of the citizens about being prudent with the public purse…. and invest more in creating jobs and growing the economy. My number one priority is to invest in infrastructure and turn South Africa into a massive construction site under the theme #LetsBuildSA,” he explained.
Since his appointment on Sunday, the Minister has hit the ground running having met the Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala and the Director-General of the department, Sifiso Mdakane, to discuss a number of critical issues.
The Minister will meet more stakeholders in the built environment and infrastructure sector in the coming weeks.
Macpherson was announced as the new Minister of the DPWI in an address to the nation by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
READ | Meet SA's new cabinet
. – SAnews.gov.za
