KwaZulu-Natal Premier calls the possibility of setting up the Premier’s Infrastructure Coordinating Commission modelled along the lines of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC).

This was made when Premier Senzo Mchunu opened the KwaZulu-Natal provincial Legkotla in Durban.

Mchunu said, “With regards to infrastructure there are encouraging developments at national level with regards to the implementation of infrastructure projects.”

“The PICC has ensured improvement in the planning and decision-making which in turn has speeded up the delivery of infrastructure projects.”

“This Lekgotla must explore the possibilities of establishing the Premier’s Infrastructure Coordinating Commission. It should have powers and a mandate different from the existing provincial Infrastructure Coordination Workgroup which was set up by the Provincial Planning Commission and led by the provincial Department of Public Works.”

“We should discuss an institutional and legislative framework that we should use to set up the Premier’s Infrastructure Coordinating Commission. Infrastructure development is key in ensuring that we achieve our vision of being a gateway province to Africa and the rest of the world.”

“Like the PICC, the Premier’s Infrastructure Coordinating Commission would facilitate the speedy collective co-ordination of all infrastructure programmes and projects in the province. The Premier’s commission will seek to provide a platform for all national, provincial and key municipal infrastructure delivery agents to share information on and align long term infrastructure planning for the province.”

“The big infrastructure projects that should be coordinated includes the establishment of renewable energy plant in Jozini Local Municipality, all infrastructure development related to airports, harbours, road, rail, information and communication technologies, electricity, water and sanitation, human settlement, health and education infrastructure.”