Is South Africa ready for the phenomenal growth posed by Government’s massive multi-million Rand infrastructure injection?
It has been reported that South Africa will soon look like one large construction site, should all the infrastructure development projects that have been planned by Government, be executed. Although the prospect of a massive cash injection sounds promising, numerous challenges exist before the millennium goals of providing basic services for all, staging the 2010 FIFA World Cup, amongst others, can be attained. Chief amongst these is the country’s massive skills shortage. Government has already initiated far-reaching capacity building programmes in order to fast-track the development of specific individuals in the construction industry, recruit new talent into the construction sector, and to attract rare and scarce skills from abroad. However, there are other pressing matters that need to be addressed immediately.
Many of our municipalities do not possess the necessary funds or capacity to advance projects to implementation phase. Environmental Impact Assessments are tedious. The Government tendering process is arduous due to the latest transparency objectives championed by the Department of Treasury. All of these issues require immediate action in order to ensure that the targets of infrastructure development are achieved in time. It will also require a concerted collaborative effort from the various stakeholders in the built environment.
Planning for Infrastructure Projects 2006 is a 3-day conference that brings together professionals from the private and public sectors who are involved in planning, implementing and managing these projects, in order to come up with solutions for the realities that exist in infrastructure project management.
This event, developed by the International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC), offers REAL, PRACTICAL solutions to the issues being faced by professionals in the built environment. Providing incisive panel sessions, numerous expert workshops, and practical advice from a distinguished speaker panel including representatives from parastatals, national, provincial and local government, as well as professionals from the private sector, this summit brings individuals in touch with opportunities to accelerate infrastructure project development and realisation.
In addition, several networking opportunities promise an unparalleled opportunity for debating the realities of implementing mega projects in Southern Africa.
Some of the representatives we are expecting at this event include top-level individuals from the following bodies:
- Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC - Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism - Department of Provincial and Local Government - Department of Public Works - BIGEN Africa - Various district and local municipalities - A range of parastatals involved in construction and engineering projects - Strategic representatives from associations representing the built environment
These are a few of the key issues that will be discussed:
• The Infrastructure Project Planning Phase: How To Win Government Tenders and Speed Up The Entire Project Implementation Process • The Project Manager’s Toolkit: Key Tips For Project Planning, Estimation And Project Analysis • An In-depth Look At Infrastructure PPPs: Are They Successful And How Can They Work For You? • A Municipal Perspective From The DPLG: Planning For Infrastructure Readiness • Project Financing of Infrastructure Projects In Municipalities • What Is Realistically Possible In Terms Of The Speed Of Concluding Environmental Impact Assessments? • The Role Of JIPSA In The EPWP For The Delivery Of Major Infrastructure Projects • Estimating And Managing Project Risks In Infrastructure Projects: Risk Allocation And Transfer Of Risks • Addressing the Critical Skills Shortage in Effective Infrastructure Project Structuring • PANEL SESSION: Effective Planning And Rolling Out Government Infrastructure Projects and Programmes • PANEL SESSION: Will Mentoring of SMMEs In Construction Projects Really Work? • The CETA perspective On Accelerating Education And Training In The Built Environment
Attend this event and be a part of the strategy to accelerate the roll-out of mega capital projects and facilitate the achievement of the millennium goals of 2010 and beyond. Contact Cheryl Smith at IQPC on 011-669-5000, or email her on cheryl.smith@iqpc.co.za, to register.
