By Nangamso Mabindla
13 September 2007

WITH over 52 000 jobs created in the last financial year, the Eastern Cape department of public works wants to let people know it is making a difference in their lives.

This was said by the MEC for public works, Christian Martin, during the launch of Public Works Month in East London on Thursday, 12 September

These jobs, he said, were created through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), a national government programme that creates temporary work opportunities and training for the unemployed.

September will see the department going on road shows, talking about the EPWP and future projects in the province. Areas to be visited include the Chris Hani, Amathole and OR Tambo District municipalities.

"We want to show our communities that we have done a lot in improving the quality of their lives," Martin said.

"We are aware that we cannot create employment for all the people of the province; but we do know that we can make a difference in people's lives."

The provincial department spent more than R2-billion, through the EPWP, to create employment opportunities for its communities.

"Out of the 52 000 jobs created, 30 percent were the youth, 40 percent were women, and disabled people made up two percent. We exceeded our target for women, but we still need to improve when it comes to disabled people."

This financial year the department aims to create jobs in areas of infrastructure and environmental projects.

However, the EPWP is not only about job creation, it is also about training and Buffalo City has done well in ensuring both objectives are being achieved.

Buffalo City councilor, Luntu Bobo, said that in the last financial year, the City spent R33-million in EPWP compliant projects.

"In the 2006/2007 financial year, five projects were completed which were complaint with EPWP standards. During these projects 112 people received accreditation for training and over 400 jobs were created," said Bobo.

Turning his attention to this financial year's targets, Bobo said five more projects had been identified. These included ward 18 water supply, the buffer strip sanitation in Mdantsane, the Tsholomnqa sanitation, the Newlands water supply and school pedestrian facilities in Mdantsane.

"With the ward 18 water supply, 47 people have received accredited training and 52 job opportunities have been created thus far. The total value of the project is in excess of R17-million," Bobo said.

In the buffer strip sanitation project, 36 people would receive accredited training relevant to the project. So far 28 job opportunities have already been created. The project value for this financial year was R6-million, according to the councillor.

Talking about the Mdantsane school pedestrian facilities, Bobo said that 150 people had already received training, and a further 150 jobs were created by the project.

"This project will be R15-million and is going to be constructed by our Vuku'phile learner companies," said Bobo.

The City, he said, looked forward to continue its relationship with the provincial department of public works in its efforts to build a better life for the province's people.