Pretoria- The FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup will be a milestone and not an end in terms of Government's infrastructure plans, the Department of Public Works says.
"As Government, when we plan, we see 2010 as a milestone. It is not the end of the road, it is the beginning of another," Spokesperson Lucky Mochalibane told BuaNews today.
"The Department's efforts go to 2010 and beyond, such as to 2014 which is when Government has targeted to halve poverty and unemployment."
In this regard, it was planned that the infrastructure being prepared for the soccer tournament being hosted by South Africa, would continue to be of use to the country beyond 2010.
"Part of our preparations include putting down infrastructure that will be vital to the games both in terms of the hospitality industry and the sport infrastructure but also other infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, clinics and police stations, to cope with the influx of people into the country."
Mr Mochalibane said the country's construction industry currently generated R60 billion a year and contributed nine percent to the Gross Domestic Product.
"Of that R60 billion, more than half is from Government's order books. Government is the sector's largest client."
He said the Department saw much scope for growth in this sector in the light of 2010.
This growth would be further enhanced because South Africa was a developing country which had much infrastructure to put down as its economy, population and needs grew.
"We believe this contribution can be grown. In China, the construction sector contributes in excess of 20 percent of GDP. We are looking to increase our sector's contribution for 2010 and beyond.
"The intervention of Government in this industry is to promote development, to promote growth and most importantly to promote the transformation of the industry," Mr Mochalibane said.
Apart from acting as the sector's largest client, Government has also set aside R370 billion to be invested in the sector over the next four to five years.
Mr Mochalibane said President Thabo Mbeki envisioned this contribution would stimulate further growth in the industry and "serve as a magnet" for increased foreign investment.
Working through the 2010 Technical Task Team, with the Department of Sport and Recreation as well as the Local Organising Committee, the Department would intensify its existing core competencies.
"Our Department is looking at its core competencies of infrastructure development, both in terms of planning and acquisition; maintenance operations as well as their disposal at the end of their economic life."
Mr Mochalibane encouraged youth to study mathematics and physics in high school and join the construction sector, which he said faced the challenge of an ageing skills base.
He described the sector as an exciting, creative outlet which could give young people much scope for professional development, adding that it was not "a dirty industry".
He said the sector itself, largely driven by private companies, was well aware that in was in for an exciting time because of 2010.
Young people will have a chance to learn more about the sector, which is being highlighted from Wednesday, in the country's first ever National Construction Week, during which schools will be taken on tours to construction sites, amongst others.
Another key intervention of the Government in the sector is the Expanded Public Works Programme, which this year exceeded its gross job creation target of 130 000 jobs.
Over the year, more than 223 000 gross jobs were created through the EPWP.
-Source BuaNews