Through consolidating its operations into one central 59 000 m² building, which was currently under construction near Freedom Park in Tshwane, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) would streamline its processes and achieve greater efficiency, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said on Monday.

Speaking at the sod-turning of the new Stats SA head office, he emphasised the importance of quality information, stating that South Africa’s plans to eradicate poverty by 2030 hinged on information-based decision-making.

Currently, Stats SA operated out of three separate buildings, two of which were located in the Tshwane city centre and one in Pretoria West.

The new R1.4-billion building, on which construction was expected to be completed in 22 months’ time, would, when completed, house 1 900 staff members and would be equipped with 28 meeting rooms, nine boardrooms, a canteen and an auditorium, Radebe pointed out.

The building would also include a 24/7 data processing centre, as well as a statistics training centre.

Stats SA had signed a 27-year memorandum of understanding with the Department of Public Works for the use of the land on which the building was being constructed.

Currently, about 220 people were employed on the construction site; however, this number was expected to rise to 1 300 when the project reached its peak in November this year.

Also speaking at the sod-turning ceremony, Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi said the project formed a part of the revival of the City of Tshwane, noting that other government departments such as National Treasury, the Department of Human Settlements and the Department of Correctional Services also had future plans to build on the land around the new building.

Dipalopalo Consortium, whose shareholders included listed Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon, Royal Bafokeng, Astrapak and Servest, was undertaking the construction of the building.

The consortium had a 40% black economic-empowerment shareholding.