MPUMALANGA PROVINCE CREATED MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FOUR THOUSAND WORK OPPORTUNITIES DURING PHASE 2 OF EXPANDED PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.

MPUMALANGA PROVINCE CREATED MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FOUR THOUSAND WORK OPPORTUNITIES DURING PHASE 2 OF EXPANDED PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.

BY BRIAN KAJENGO

The Mpumalanga province created a total of 174 718 work opportunities under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) during Phase two (2) of the programme which covers the five year period from 2009-2014. The Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, which is the custodian of the programme for the entire province made the announcement during the three days road show held recently within the various district municipalities.

The main objective of the road show was to report back to all public sector bodies which include Municipalities, provincial Departments as well as the Non Profit Organisations (NGO) on the performance of the province on EPWP within the past five year period. According to the report which was presented by the National Department of Public Works, the Infrastructure Sector created at least 74 364 jobs opportunities with only 43 883 jobs created under the Environmental and Culture Sector. The Social Sector contributed only 56 471 work opportunities. Some of the major achievements of the programme within Phase two (2) the introduction of the Non state sector.

The National Department of Public Works, which is spearheading the programme, is expected to launch Phase three (3) of the programme later this year. In a bid to enhance the programme thus address most of the challenges experienced on Phase two (2) of EPWP, youth employment and project based training will feature highly on the Phase three (3). A total target of 55% youth employment has been set for phase three (3). The province is expected to create at least one hundred and eighty seven thousand three hundred and ninety four (187 394) within the Phase three (3). This implemented under the theme, “EPWP changing many lives for the better”.

The programme which introduced to address the high level of unemployment in the country especially amongst the youth has made a great impact for needy people like Nomasibulele Mgikwa. She works as general worker for Lonerock, which is a company contracted by the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport to rehabilitate the P182/1 (R44) towards P30/1(R35). Nomasibulele has been unemployed for more than 8 years; however working at the construction site has made a huge difference into her life as she is now able to buy food and basic needs for her family including her two kids.

The Expanded Public Works Programme is nationwide programme aimed to create job opportunities for the poor and unemployed people. It introduced in 2003, which covers the three spheres of government including the state owned enterprise.