Driving the transformation agenda in SA’s built environment
Practitioners in the built industry, captains of industry, professionals and policymakers are gathering at the Inaugural Built Environment Indaba to discuss solutions and address challenges faced by South Africa’s construction industry. Joining CNBC Africa to discuss these solutions is Reginald Demana, CEO at the South African National Roads Agency.
Fri, 05 Apr 2024 10:54:42 GMT
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AI Generated Summary
- The South African National Roads Agency is vital in planning, constructing, and maintaining the National Road System, which is crucial for the country's economy.
- Ambitious targets of close to $300 billion have been set for infrastructure development in various sectors, with the agency aiming to contribute significantly to the overall target.
- The agency, along with other key players in the industry, is focused on accelerating infrastructure rollout to drive economic growth and job creation, aligning with the President's directives.
The Inaugural Built Environment Indaba recently took place in South Africa, bringing together practitioners, captains of industry, professionals, and policymakers to address the challenges faced by the country's construction industry. One key figure at the event was Reginald Dumana, the CEO of the South African National Roads Agency. Dumana highlighted the crucial role of the agency in planning, constructing, and maintaining the National Road System, which comprises 24,384 kilometers, representing four percent of South Africa's total road network. This extensive network plays a vital role in the country's economy by carrying 40 percent of annual vehicle traffic and 70 percent of freight, serving as the backbone of economic activity in South Africa. The agency participated in the Indaba as a sponsor to support initiatives for transformation, skills development, and leveraging state procurement to advance transformation goals. Moving forward, Dumana discussed the ambitious targets set for the upcoming year, with infrastructure projects totaling close to $300 billion, covering various sectors such as water, energy, human settlements, rail, and aviation. The agency aims to award contracts worth $50 to $60 billion, contributing significantly to the overall infrastructure target of $100 billion. Dumana emphasized the importance of accelerating infrastructure rollout to drive economic growth as per the President's directives. The agency has increased its business operations, doubling its expenditure from the previous year, aligning with efforts from other key players in the industry like Transnet, Prasa, and AXA. When questioned about the challenges of translating pledges into tangible projects, Dumana assured that budgeted projects approved by governing bodies are underway and progressing towards tendering and implementation. He pointed out visible construction activities across the country, transforming provinces into active construction sites. Dumana's commitment to delivering on infrastructural promises was underscored by his assurance that ongoing projects would be closely monitored to ensure transparency and accountability. The industry's focus on accelerating infrastructure development is vital for stimulating economic growth and job creation, with Dumana and the South African National Roads Agency playing a pivotal role in driving this agenda forward.
