Consulting Engineers SA (Cesa) has welcomed what it described as the government's honest approach to recognising weaknesses in South Africa's infrastructure and addressing them.
Cesa head Graham Pirie said on Tuesday the presidential infrastructure co-ordination committee (PICC) deserved particular praise for devoting a whole day to address infrastructure issues and release it details plans.
"We are definitely ready to consult and support the government in finding innovative and entrepreneurial ways of partnering with it in order to ensure a successful roll-out of the programme," Pirie said.
Cesa participated in the presidential infrastructure conference held last Friday.
Pirie said the government had recognised weaknesses in terms of state spending on infrastructure, public sector incapacity and cumbersome procurement issues.
Infrastructure investment was a key priority for both the National Development Plan and the New Growth Path.
This was expected to direct national growth and drive job creation by implementing a long-term, government-led infrastructure investment programme.
Cesa welcomed remarks by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe that the country's large-scale public infrastructure programme offered opportunities for partnerships with the private sector.
Source: Sapa via I-NET Bridge