INFRASTRUCTURE BACKLOG OFFERS GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

OPPORTUNITIES

There is a backlog of sufficient planned new bulk water infrastructure
projects in South Africa which could potentially provide increased
opportunities for engineering consultants, such as AECOM, to become involved in
more infrastructure development, says AECOM water business line director Werner Comrie.

“Many of the new identified large projects have been delayed for
implementation and municipalities are also battling to provide water services.
There is also a crisis in ageing infrastructure, which requires maintenance,
refurbishment or replacing.”

This includes large dams, hydropower development, water and wastewater
treatment, water conveyance and distribution, stormwater management and water
resilience.

“The opportunities for growth are there, with the backlog described in
the National Water and Sanitation Masterplan developed by the Department of
Water and Sanitation last year. These plans need action to implement,” he
states.

Comrie highlights AECOM’s expertise in water infrastructure design,
supervision and project management with reference to its involvement as
engineer for the City of Tshwane’s Temba Water Treatment Works in Soshanguve,
Pretoria.

AECOM is also the engineer for the Lesotho Highlands Development
Authority for the development of the Polihali western access road. The road
will provide access to the Polihali dam construction site, which forms part of
the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water project.

AECOM is further involved in various projects in dams, wastewater
treatment, industrial water use, water supply and stormwater management across
South Africa and the rest of the continent.

“If all the national and master planning that has been done is
programmed for execution, there will be a lot to do. “We remain positive that
this will be the case and are pleased to see that infrastructure development is
being prioritised as a primary driver of job creation and economic growth,” he
states.

Comrie continues by adding that, when the industry recovers, the
opportunities for transformation will be endless.

“Recruitment could then be focused on targeting the designated groups for employment and development. If the industry remains suppressed, we cannot make the progress we need to. Unfortunately that is one of the main reasons why the consultancy industry has battled to show sufficient progress on transformation during recent years. “Lack of projects restricts the potential to provide jobs to qualifying young professionals, and to build the capability of the industry to meet anticipated demand amid the future economic growth in the country.”  https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/infrastructure-planning-backlog-provides-growth-opportunities-for-company-2019-06-19