Public Works Minister Stella Sigcau says South Africa's construction and property industries are to receive massive boosts following the announcement that the country would be hosting the continents first Pan African Parliament (PAP).

The minister was speaking at the official opening of the Steve Tshwete Police Station in Frankfort, Eastern Cape last week.

"Government plans to spend increasing amounts on developing the infrastructure of the country. At least R20-billion out of the total Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) will come from the infrastructure sector," she said.

The minister added that her department was ready to rise to the challenge of managing the provision of infrastructure for the PAP.

"Because of our experience and expertise in this area, we are the best available agency in the country to carry out the honour of costing, procuring and maintaining the new headquarters of the 265 member PAP," she said.

"The cost of providing the building, facilities and equipment for PAP will come from our government, but other private sector activities such as the construction of private accommodation and hotels will be part of the benefits of hosting PAP," she added.

The new police station, built at a cost of R 4,3-million, has been named in honour of the late Safety and Security Minister Steve Tshwete who died in 2002.

The station consists of holding cells and official living quarters for members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) and is the fourth such facility in the past month to be handed over to the police services.

Others are the newly built Mangaung Police Station near Bloemfontein, the Tsolo Police Station outside Umtata in the Eastern Cape and the Mabopane Police Station outside of Pretoria. –BuaNews.