Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson on Tuesday welcomed the work being done by Infrastructure South Africa to unblock the bureaucracy and red tape around Umgeni-Uthukela Water’s Lower uMkhomazi bulk water supply scheme.

The work ensures that the construction continues and is completed on time, enabling water provision for 50 000 households within the eThekwini and Ugu district municipalities, in KwaZulu-Natal.

“Infrastructure South Africa has been instrumental in the Lower uMkhomazi bulk water supply scheme to unblock any bureaucratic blockages, in some cases shortening the time for approvals in half,” explained Macpherson during an oversight visit to the project on Tuesday.

He noted that the institution’s assistance and support had ensured that the project remained on time and within budget.

“Infrastructure South Africa’s involvement in the project highlights the importance of being involved in infrastructure projects moving forward to realise President Cyril Ramaphosa’s dream to turn the country into a construction site,” he continued.

Macpherson believes that Infrastructure South Africa’s work should be replicated countrywide to unleash a wave of infrastructure investment which will help grow South Africa’s economy and create jobs.

Infrastructure South Africa could further play an important role in identified areas, including electricity provision to the construction site and ensuring that future phases of the project proceed without delay for speedy water provision to the region.

“The Lower uMkhomazi bulk water supply scheme is a prime example of how, through collaborative efforts, infrastructure investment can be unlocked which directly leads to improved living conditions for thousands of people.

“Going forward, we have to work together closely – including with the private sector – to unlock further construction projects which will ignite economic growth and create jobs. Let us build South Africa,” he said.

However, criminal elements around public infrastructure sites remain a significant challenge, which Macpherson said, in this case, had resulted in the death of three people.

“This is unacceptable and should be condemned in the strongest terms.”