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The coronavirus pandemic ”is the forging of a greater working relationship between the public and private sectors. (Supplied)
- Some government buildings are abandoned or in ruins and the government could do more to make better use of them, says the head of the Office of Investment and Infrastructure of the Presidency.
- That is why the government wants to talk to the municipalities and provinces to find the best use for these buildings.
- He is hopeful that the government can provide more clarity in March next year.
In the opinion of Dr. Kgosientso Ramokgopa, head of the Office of Investment and Infrastructure of the Presidency, the government is not “sweating” enough its large portfolio of state-owned real estate.
“Some government buildings are abandoned or in ruins. One is right in the center of Cape Town, next to the Convention Center. [Customs House in the harbour area on the Foreshore]. So we want to determine what is the best use for it, ”Ramokgopa said during the Wesgro’s annual review on Monday.
Wesgro is the official tourism, trade, investment and film promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape.
“There could be many other buildings of this type. We want to speak with municipalities and provinces. It is not about national, provincial or local, but about finding the best use of these buildings, ”Ramokgopa said.
The Customs building is an example of this type of “fruits at hand”, as well as the redesign and densification of the farms where the ministerial houses are located.
“If the ministers move out of those properties, what is done with [those areas]? That’s where we can get input for ideas. We want to get private sector involvement and a blended finance approach. It’s about generating reliable and sustainable sources of income. That is why the government calls for higher levels of coordination. It’s about having a global investment strategy approach, “Ramokgopa said.
For him, “a ray of light from the dark cloud of the coronavirus pandemic” is the forging of a greater working relationship between the public and private sectors.
“During the last six months we have developed a communion with the private sector, especially with financing facilities such as banks, due to the need for us to explore innovative financing instruments,” Ramokgopa said.
“A greater focus on ensuring that you keep businesses alive and ensuring that poor households can have a decent meal has undermined investments in infrastructure. Therefore, we are coordinating, at the forefront of the South African investment conference, an approach hybrid due to pandemic requirements. “
He noted that financing green infrastructure is an area with good potential to attract investment, as well as “liberalize the energy space.”
“We are still struggling to move from transitional investment promises to real investment. We need to develop relationships of solidarity. Many financial institutions say that all good projects that could be funded have been funded. So, we want to talk about supported projects. on credible, independent and sustainable revenue streams, not on those seeking financing through fiscal streams, “Ramokgopa explained.
He is hopeful that the government can provide more clarity in March next year.
