Rapid Response Task Team – a built environment and construction industry lead initiative

As
the world at large struggles to combat the spread of COVID-19, the global
economy has been thrown into turmoil as several countries around the world
remain in lockdown or isolation. Although necessary, the decision to enter into
a 21 day lock down has resulted in the local economy being hit particularly
hard; an unfortunate yet critical measure to curb the spread of the pandemic in
the country.

Thanks
to a joint venture between the built environment and construction industries, a
COVID-19 “Construction Rapid Response Task Team” has been formed by key
industry bodies. The aim of this is to assess the industry as a whole, starting
with what relief measures are available and what can be done to create a
sustainable future for the industry. 

Made
up of various industry formations “collectively acting in the interest of
construction and infrastructure development in South Africa”, the Construction
COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Team try to assess the impact of the construction
sectors sustainability post-lockdown

“We have
realized that that the current situation requires a collective approach hence
we would like to urgently engage all our key stakeholders particularly
government and private sector investing in infrastructure development,” said
Matthews to 3s Medias Infrastructure news interview
about the initiative

Some of the key issues in discussion are:

• Identifying
  opportunities where the construction and built environment can assist in the
  national disaster and relief efforts both on a volunteer and professional
  basis.
• Interpretation
  of Regulations during lockdown and the absence of clear reference to the
  construction industry.
• Exploring
  of relief measures specific to the sector.
• Supporting
  emergency procurement for the next 12 months.
• Discuss
  interventions for the recovery of the industry.
• As
  part of the recovery, engage Government on the commitment to pay service
  providers within 30 days.
• Partner
  with Government to ensure effective and integrated rollout of infrastructure
  projects.
• Partner
  with private sectors in infrastructure development, etc.

Task team members include

• Master Builders South Africa
• Association of South African Quantity Surveyors
• Western Cape Property Development Forum
• Black Business Council in the Built Environment
• South African Institute of Architects
• Cox Yeats Attorneys and Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal (Convenor).

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