This is according to Bette McNaughton, organiser of the inaugural Facilities Management Africa 2006 (FM Africa 2006) exhibition which will make its début on the South African exhibition calendar from 24 to 26 October at Gallagher Estate, Midrand.
“Governments around the world have realised over recent years that they are not in the business of owning, managing, operating and maintaining assets”, says McNaughton.
“Their function is to provide policies, regulations, frameworks and guidelines. It is the role of the private sector to enhance the capacity of government.”
With South Africa ranked amongst the leading countries globally in the law, policy and systems we have established for public private partnerships, the opportunities for the private sector are growing, both in numbers and in the innovative value-for-money solutions they contain.
Major PPPs have taken place in all key industry sectors. A large percentage of the projects currently under review are in the ecotourism, conservation, forestry and information technology (IT) industries. Other priority sectors include energy, transport as well as bulk and waste management.
Projects in preparation phase include
? Revitalisation of Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital:
? Gautrain Rapid Rail Link
? Peaking Plant – the first independent power producer (R2.5 billion)
The budget for PPPs for the National and Provincial Governments until 2009 is R18,5 billion.
South African law defines a PPP as a contract between a public sector institution/municipality and a private party, in which the private party assumes substantial financial, technical and operational risk in the design, financing, building and operation of a project.
Fully supported by the South African Facilities Management Association, FM Africa 2006 will be positioned as the definitive meeting place for all those involved in facilities management, workplace management, fire, health and safety, policing and security.
Explains Bette McNaugton, event director of Fair Consultants: “Facilities Management Africa 2006 is a new broad-reaching exhibition – 6 in 1 – aimed at all those who contribute to making the workplace deliver – from the boardroom to the shop floor, in both the public and private sectors.
With facilities management being one of the fastest growing industries globally, the exhibition will create a vital link for decision makers with suppliers and service providers.
Expo visitors and participants will consist of a wide range of key decision makers, including architects, property developers, building maintenance managers and managing directors.
