Human Settlement to turn province into a construction site
“The future plans are to build mega human settlement projects that will consist of mixed developments that include rental stock, bonded houses and RDPs”-Mashatile.
The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements will use the R5 billion budget to turn the province into a construction site.
The department was allocated R5.2 billion for the 2016/2017 financial year which starts in April.
Speaking with contractors and developers on (Tuesday 15 March), the MEC for Human Settlements Paul Mashatile said that the Department should stretch the resources and build houses.
Mashatile said, “The Department will adhere to government policy and pay service providers within 30 days.
“Gauteng has done a lot of planning, let us build houses now, people do not sleep in plans but in houses.
“We recognise that business people have commitments, if we do not pay you, you will not be able to pay your workers and your creditors.”
“We want to make a commitment that we will avoid a situation in which people are not paid. We are the new brooms that are going to sweep clean,” he said.
Mashatile said that the Department wants contractors that are happy so that they can deliver quality projects on time.
“I was briefed about the history of the Department and it has built a good foundation.
“Premier David Makhura has asked me to check all the unfinished projects, houses that are not allocated and to pay contractors.
He further said that the office of the Head of Department (HOD), Sibongile Mazibuko, was opened for contractors to interact with the Department.
Mashatile said that contractors that were owed money in the financial year ending March 31 will be prioritised in the new financial year starting in April.
“It is a bit of pain, we did not want to start a new financial year with accruals but everyone who has worked for us and completed the job must be paid.
“The future plans are to build mega human settlement projects that will consist of mixed developments that include rental stock, bonded houses and RDPs.
“This approach will help us leverage in the private sector funding and that the Department will also work with municipalities.”
“The Department was working with municipalities to sort out the issue of beneficiary lists to avoid corruption and houses being allocated to wrong people,” he said.
