Public Works
The Northern Cape Provincial Government is a Government aspiring for a better life for all citizens in terms creating jobs, building communities, bringing rich cultural events to the people and business to the province. The construction of the Mittah Seperepere acts as the hub where these events will take place attracting young and old, the rich and previously marginalized as we unite as a nation portraying the Rainbow Nation.
The Diamond City is excelling in terms of economic growth and development as the Convention Centre is located close to the famous Big Hole and Maloof Skatepark attracting international vistors as well as tourists from other provinces. The theme WORKING TOGETHER ENHANCING DIVERSITY echoes the spirit of embracing our differences, respecting our fellow citizens and show casing our heritage.
DRPW GOES GREEN
Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings
Kimberley-The Honourable President Jacob Zuma during his State of the Nation Address stated: “We urge all individuals, households, industries, and government departments to save electricity in order to reduce the need for load shedding. The Department of Public Works has been instructed to ensure that all government-owned buildings are energy efficient.”
At the backdrop of our recent re-current experience of load shedding, the ultimate aim is for all Public Works Departments to be more energy efficient. Some of the going green concepts include saving energy (changing the lighting fitting and Air Conditioning systems) and reducing on water usage.
The department invited Ms Pinkie Modisane, Chief Director of Property and Facilities Management from the National Department of Public Works, to their quarterly MANCO Meeting. She presented the various regulations and legislations against which government needs to embrace the concept of going green; such as the Kyoto Protocol, COP17 Summit held in Durban during Nov/Dec 2011 thus adopting the Green Building Framework, the National Energy Efficiency Strategy, and V-NAMA (Vertically Integrated Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action) Programme. The National Energy Efficiency Strategy sets a target of 12% - 15% saving by 2014. The National Department of Public Works has developed a Draft Green Building Policy for discussion by stakeholders on 7 to 8 April 2015.
The construction industry can make a huge contribution towards energy savings through its mitigation actions to reduce the impact of climate change. Note should be taken that municipalities and provincial departments have budget constraints, thus shared energy savings mechanisms could be used on high energy consuming buildings.
“As government we have a huge responsibility towards energy efficiency and this includes training the unemployed youth in terms of going green,” Ms Pinkie Modisane stated. According to her the NDPW aims to reduce the electricity consumption in identified buildings by at least 10% over the duration of the Shared Energy Savings projects.
According to Ms Pinkie Modisane, the DPW is working together with Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to establish norms and standards for the energy saving which will act as a yardstick for all Public Works institutions when constructing new government buildings.
She confirmed that the National Department of Public Works will work with all the provinces, to identify high energy consuming buildings, and conduct pre-energy audits in an effort to install technology that will contribute to energy efficiency. To kick-start the plan to go green, the NC DRPW is tasked with the responsibility to identify public amenities which is in full operation and of service to the public, which we intend to implement the concept of going green.