MIST to rope in private sector
Gothataone Moeng | Tuesday March 25, 2014 15:09
The Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology (MIST) recently told Parliament that it recognises that to comprehensively address maintenance issues, there is need for a ‘robust maintenance strategy’.
Minister Johnny Swartz said that the ministry would explore ways of how the private sector can meaningfully participate in the upkeep of national infrastructure.
To that end, the ministry is, in partnership with the Public Enterprises Evaluation and Privatisation Agency (PEEPA), to undertake a study towards the development of a strategy.
“The study includes, among other things, an assessment of private sector facilities management and maintenance capabilities and various options for involving the private sector in maintenance of government facilities,” Swartz told Parliament.
Swartz said the ministry has had to strengthen its depots around the country by redeploying professionals and conducting surveys of all government facilities to ensure proper and targeted maintenance work.
The ministry is also conducting a detailed conditions survey for various government establishments, which will enable prioritisation of facilitation management activities, he said.
The ministry was, in the 2013/2014 financial year, allocated P342,447,070 for the maintenance and rehabilitation of buildings.
For the 2014/2015 financial year, the ministry has requested P150 million for maintenance of government facilities, with the amount expected to be distributed across ministries to undertake their minor maintenance projects directly.
Under the development budget, out of a total P423 million, Swartz has proposed that the Government Building Infrastructure and Related Services rehabilitation be allocated P213 million.
Meanwhile, the minister also said in order to improve the coordination and implementation of national infrastructure, MIST is working on the establishment of the National Infrastructure Project Management Agency.
Swartz told Parliament recently that the process of establishing the agency is at an advanced stage, with expectations being that the process will be concluded during the first quarter of the 2014/2015 financial year. Swartz requested P917,481,850 for his ministry.