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Public Works Minister Patricia de Lille says more than 500 jobs to be created from infrastructure projects. Image via: flickr

De Lille: ‘Over 500 000 jobs’ to be created from new infrastructure projects

Over 500 000 employment opportunities will be created from 55 new investment projects valued at R595 billion.

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Public Works Minister Patricia de Lille says more than 500 jobs to be created from infrastructure projects. Image via: flickr

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille says more than 500 000 employment opportunities will be created from 55 new investment projects valued at R595 billion.

Speaking on the opening day of the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium (SIDSSA) 2021, De Lille said these projects were presented by the government to raise funding for construction.

GOVERNMENT SEEKING INVESTORS

“We are now presenting the second round of 55 projects for SIDSSA 2021 to raise funding to get these projects into construction. The 55 new projects being presented to the market are from various sectors valued at around R595 billion with a funding gap of around R441 billion,” she said.

De Lille said the estimated employment opportunities that will be created from these projects amount to over 538 500 and the government is working tirelessly to secure investment.

One of the projects presented is the private sector Maitland Metro Precinct Development in Cape Town which is already in construction with the first units expected to be completed in November this year.

“I visited the site of this integrated, affordable, well-located human settlements development a few weeks ago and these teams and moving fast to get the project completed and bring affordable housing to the gap market in Cape Town.”

“This is a private sector project which will see around 1 200 new residential units being developed for the rental, social housing and FLISP market targeting low to middle income earners,” said de Lille.

READ: Ramaphosa to host Sustainable Infrastructure Symposium

PROGRESS MADE SINCE SIDSSA 2020

She said over the past 15 months, government has made good progress with a greater impetus on infrastructure development since the 2020 SIDSSA.

“These projects form the Infrastructure Investment Plan which was approved by Cabinet in May 2020. The projects were pitched to the market at last year’s SIDSSA where we were able to raise R340 billion in funding commitments from the private sector which helped to take the pressure off the struggling fiscus,” said de Lille.

She further said that government and the private sector were working closer together to address policy reforms and to raise the necessary funding to get infrastructure delivery done to boost economic recovery.