The Property Management Trading Entity PMTE, as an implementing arm of the department, also manages the immovable Asset Register that records all immovable assets in line with the principles, best practice, and uniform immovable asset framework for the government as set out in the Government Immovable Asset Management Act, Giama, 19 of 2007. It is rather a huge concern that some of the state - owned properties stand fallow and remain unoccupied for a long period of time, giving opportunity an opportunity to be called white elephants to
illegal occupation and sometimes harbouring criminal who will do criminal activities.
In the light of this, the portfolio committee has decided that it will closely monitor the process of ensuring that an effective, efficient and fully functional Immovable Asset Register is in place. [Applause.]
The department must ensure that in all its programmes, women, youth and people with disabilities become the main beneficiaries. It must accelerate programmes to advance transformation, particularly on the Registered Candidates and Professionals of the 6 Built Environment Professionals Councils. We were informed in the portfolio committee that out of about 32 698 registered candidates and professionals, only about 8 170 are women. That cannot be accepted. This happens in a country where women are a majority and that must be corrected. There is still more improvement that needs to be done in terms of the transformation agenda of the Public Works Entities because currently, there is less emphasis on opportunities afforded to
women in construction and the youth in particular, while the built environment remains white male dominated.
The high unemployment rate remains a serious challenge among young people in our country. The Budget Vote as an enabler must unlock job opportunities created by the Department of Public Works and its entities. Job creation remains an apex priority of an ANC-led government and that is why the department continues to create more employment opportunities through its Expanded Public Works Programme, EPWP, and the small harbour development.
The State Coastal Property Development Unit within the department needs to broaden its horizon in terms of the development of small harbours. We were informed that only three provinces so far are having this programme, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape. The Eastern Cape is one of the provinces that have prospective unproclaimed small harbours. For example, the Port St Johns Municipality already has a small harbour development plan that was presented to the portfolio committee during its oversight visit in September 2018. If this can be developed, it can create more job opportunities, boost
the economy and accelerate rural development in Port St Johns in Eastern Cape
There is a need for the department to strengthen its relations with other spheres of government to ensure inter - governmental co-ordination for the acceleration of poverty reduction through creation of employment opportunities. This will also contribute in ensuring that challenges of monies being owed to municipalities by the department is a thing of the past.
The revised Expropriation Bill as part of restoring the dignity of our people and ensuring equitable ownership of rural and urban land will be a catalyst in ensuring security of tenure. The ANC-led government remains resolute to address the land question. Let me repeat, the ANC-led government remains resolute to address the land question and imbalances of the past.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, as a custodian of government assets remains central to this historical mission. If we work together as a collective, we shall experience no petty, limited, selfish joy, but our
happiness will belong to millions of South Africans. The ANC supports the Budget Vote. [Applause.]