Cape Town - Government today released the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) second quarter figures, which show that it is on track to achieve set targets.

According to the latest verified figures tabled, government has thus far created a total of 223,568 work opportunities through its Expanded Public Works Programme from the period 01 April to 31 August 2009.

Describing the latest figures as being on track in achieving set targets, Minister Doidge said the latest figures indicated a spirited increase in work opportunities created in EPWP compliant projects during the second quarter as compared to the 83,914 work opportunities created in the first quarter.

Doidge said the figures were a solid foundation to create 4.5 million work opportunities for poor and unemployed people in South Africa by 2014, as announced by President Jacob Zuma in his State of the Nation Address in June.

Zuma promised that government would not only create 500 000 job opportunities by December 2009, but a further four million by 2014.

Uganda: Govt to Build Palaces for Acholi Region - THE Office of the Prime Minister has commissioned the construction of palaces in the 52 chiefdoms in Acholi sub-region. "Today is a wonderful day for us Acholi and the rest of Uganda. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Kogi Deputy Governor Moves Into Uncompleted Building - This is not the best of times for the Kogi State Deputy-governor, Chief Phillips Salawu, as he has moved into an uncompleted building to serve as his temporary office pending the completion of his official residence which is under construction. [AA Construction]

Cape Town - Minister of Public Works Geoff Doidge today announced the launch of a systematic process to clean up his department after it was given a qualified opinion by the Auditor General (AG).

While a forensic auditing firm will conduct an audit of all internal processes since March 2005, a consultancy - Simeka Consulting is to be contracted to conduct a probe which would run until March 31 next year.

The consultancy, which Doidge said had previously done work for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and the Department of Defence, would second senior personnel to the department to effect a skills transfer.

A service-level agreement was expected to be signed with the consultancy this week.

Doidge said the clean up included among other things the clearing of all expense accounts; weeding out of duplicate payments to service providers and getting the long overdue Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE) up and running. The department was requested by the National Treasury three years ago to have the entity set up.

Pretoria - The Department of Public Works has launched a dedicated hotline aimed at ensuring that payments are processed much faster.

Operation Re Ya Patala (Operation We Pay), launched on Thursday, is set to address payment backlogs to service providers.

Service providers can interact with the department through the toll free number: 0800 782 542 and the fax number: (012) 320-2854.

The department's Chief Financial Officer Cathy Motsisi said "the department has created internal arrangements to be receptive to bona fide cases of non-payment and to investigate and finalise all cases within seven working days.

"It is in our interest to pay our service providers and contractors promptly to enable swift and effective service delivery."

The service is available for invoices that have been outstanding for over 30 days only; others will be processed via normal financial management procedures that are in place in the department.

Ghana: Public Building Plans to Be Disabled Friendly - The Ho Municipal Assembly would no longer approve building plans of public institutions including schools which lacked facilities for disabled people. [AA Construction]

Botswana: Govt Projects Run Behind Schedule - Most government projects are behind schedule due to either lack of skilled labour or to natural disasters, it came to light during a media tour of seven such projects organised by the Office of the President (OP) last week. [AA Construction]

Kenya: Cost of Vice President's House Doubles to Sh380 Million - The cost of building an official residence for the Vice-President has doubled to Sh383 million after the original contractor was fired for delays and poor workmanship. [AA Construction]

Botswana: Additional P13 Million for State House Refurbishment - The Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Margaret Nasha has requested P13 million to be spent in the next seven years on the refurbishment works of State House. [AA Construction]

South Africa: Deputy Minister Inspects Construction Sites - Deputy Minister of Public Works Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu on Sunday visited construction projects at a correctional facility and a police station to check on the progress made. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Committee Inspects National Assembly Complex Extension - The Federal Government has commended the FCT Administration (FCTA) for the steady progress of work on the National Assembly Complex extension work in Abuja. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Benue Copies Owerri Greening Model - The Benue State government has decided to adopt the model used by Imo State in the greening of its state capital, Owerri, saying it will replace major road dividers currently wearing slabs or concrete with grass and flowers. [AA Construction]

South Africa: Group Five Targets State Infrastructure Programme for Growth - CONSTRUCTION firm Group Five 's shares rose 2,7% yesterday after it said diluted headline earnings per share for the full year to last month would be 20%-30% higher than the previous comparable period. [AA Construction]

Pretoria - There is nothing unusual about renovations that are being made to Kings House in Durban, Public Works Minister Geoff Doidge said on Tuesday.

In fact, the renovations at Kings House, the official State house managed by the Department of Public Works, available for use by the President and Deputy President or any dignitary of befitting status when in Durban, are but one of similar maintenance projects taking place at various state buildings across the country, the minister said.

Minister Doidge was addressing reporters following weekend media reports that claimed the department was spending millions of Rands to upgrade the 106-year-old house in Morningside.

"For these newspapers to concentrate on Kings House and quote unnamed people as their sources on details of costs of the work being done at a presidential residence is highly disturbing," Minister Doidge said.

Liberia: U.S. Funds Construction of Harper City Hall - With funding from the United States Government, the people of Harper City, the capital of Maryland County, are expected to brag of a new city hall in few months. [AA Construction]