Issued by: Depart of Transport
27 May 1996
MEDIA STATEMENT BY DR MALCOLM MITCHELL, CHAIRMAN OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING ADVISORY COUNCIL (CEAC)
At the recent 54th meeting of the Civil Engineering Advisory Council great concern was expressed by the Council about the serious decline in civil engineering work currently being undertaken by the industry. This is in spite of development funds being available.
In real terms the civil engineering industry is performing at only 60% of its 1986 capacity. The meeting was told that currently some 80% of work is generated by the private sector, whereas normally this figure is only 30%. Civil engineering construction is by its very nature labour-intensive and if funds were made more readily available for such work, employment could increase dramatically bearing in mind that in this industry skills are easily developed.
As a matter of great urgency, CEAC has therefore put together a sub-committee which in conjunction with SAICE, SAACE, NABCAT and SAFCEC will endeavour to formulate a strategy to break the blockage in funds becoming available. The Council hopes to be able to make known its strategy to the industry by its next meeting in August.
This meeting of the Council was the first meeting of the newly constituted Council which now has 14 members, appointed by the Minister of Transport. The Council will serve a three year term, with broad representation from the civil engineering industry, including the South African Institution of Civil Engineers (SAICE), South African Association of Consulting Engineers (SAACE), National Black Contractors & Allied Trades Forum (NABCAT), and the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC).
Enquiries: Dr Malcolm Mitchell, Deputy Director General Depart of Transport Tel 012 290 2002