Associations
Although we have a broad interest in the entire industry , the cidb ’ s primary focus has traditionally been construction activity in the public sector which is highly dependent on government ’ s investment in infrastructure – new roads , bridges , dams , schools , clinics , government buildings and housing projects .
One of the biggest concerns raised in most reports and surveys pertains to underspending by infrastructure client department , at national , provincial , and metro levels , as well as within state-owned companies .
It is of critical importance that the public sector improves its capacity to manage infrastructure projects under its control and address the lingering concerns within the industry about delays in the awarding of contracts , tardiness in implementation and late payments of contractors .
It is also imperative that emerging contractors benefit from an upswing in construction activities . Public sector spending in the sector must create opportunities for new players to participate in major activities , improve their grading , and gain vital experience which will enable them to become eligible for future projects , service delivery and employment . Focus should not only be on the public sector . The new direction is to also include private sector .
The entire spectrum of the construction sector must benefit from the anticipated investment in public infrastructure . Participation must be broadened to include emerging contractors – especially black-owned and female-owned enterprises – and attract a new generation of entrepreneurs to the sector .
The nature of construction has undergone rapid and irreversible changes in recent years . The adoption of new technologies in fields such as automation , modular construction and artificial intelligence has changed the future shape of the sector . Care should be taken that such technologies are readily accessible to smaller participants in the industry and not lead to a widening of the gulf between dominant players in the market and emerging contractors .
Moreover , the focus must remain on training and skills development . There is an urgent need to close the gap between the skills that South Africans have and the skills that our economy needs .
This is where the cidb can play a critical role at the interface between the public sector , the broader construction industry , and the growing number of emerging contractors who want to help build a futuristic South Africa . RACA