ANC resolves to strengthen government's capacity to manage major projects

Following concerns over the government's heavy reliance on tenders, the African National Congress (ANC) has proposed measures to strengthen the state's capacity to manage major projects.

The tender system has often been associated with corruption in government, with procurement rules not being adhered to during the awarding of some contracts.

During its three-day National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Boksburg, the ANC resolved that the state must improve its ability to execute large-scale projects.

Party president Cyril Ramaphosa made these remarks while delivering the closing address at the meeting on Monday.

Government's last update, issued last year, revealed that delays in infrastructure projects across the country have cost the state nearly R3 billion.

Public Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson also disclosed that the department had been experiencing a 79% delay rate in projects.

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The ANC's NEC has acknowledged that many of these delays stem from weak state capacity and poor project coordination.

Ramaphosa said the party has come up with a solution to this problem.

"The NEC resolved that the fourth intervention must be to improve the capacity of the state to manage major projects. This is to address infrastructure delays due to weak capacity and fragmented coordination in making projects bankable and reach the stage of completion. We will professionalise the project management cadre and establish a cross-government coordination unit."

The ANC said a war room will be established in the presidency to monitor the implementation of these plans.