The Independent Development Trust (IDT) is to receive assistance to overcome its immediate shortfall of R95.8 million as well as operational and structural challenges that it is currently facing, Public Works Minister, Nathi Nhleko committed on Thursday.  

“An interim solution is being found together with National Treasury to sustain the entity in the short to medium term while we are working on long term sustainability measures going forward,” Minister Nhleko reiterated the commitment he made earlier in the week during his budget vote speech.

Nhleko said that the IDT has over the past five years been transforming its operations from a public funded organisation into a substantially self-funding entity to serve as a delivery agency for projects.

“It is critical to support initiatives and development interventions that facilitate job creation, poverty eradication, community enterprise support and community empowerment,” he stressed.

The state entity is mandated to support all spheres of government with social infrastructure management, i.e. provision and maintenance of infrastructure facilities that enable government to deliver social, basic and community services to its citizens.
It also supports implementation of social infrastructure projects that include schools, Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDC), clinics, hospitals, courts, community halls, portable water and sanitation infrastructure, etc.

The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), Working for Water, Alien Vegetation Removal Programme, Food Security, Food for Waste Programme and Contractor Development Programme are initiatives that are also supported by the entity.

Issued by Department of Public Works