South Africa - Johannesburg - 20 July 2023 - Emergency personnel and members of the law enforcement continue to monitor damages caused by the gas explosion that took place yesterday along Bree street in the Joburg CBD. Picture: Itumeleng English / African News Agency (ANA)
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala has roped in technicians and engineers to help in the rebuilding of structures that have been damaged in Johannesburg after an explosion ripped through Bree Street this week.
He said he has asked the Council for the Built Environment to get geologists, engineers and other experts to help in the process of fixing damaged buildings.
The City of Johannesburg was still assessing the extent of the damage and how this will be addressed.
The department of public works was also involved in the project of the restoration of parliament after it was damaged by a fire last year.
The process is already underway for the restoration of the institution.
Zikalala said they need to support the Gauteng province and the City of Johannesburg in fixing damaged structures.
This is one of the projects that one of the department’s entities can be involved in.
Zikalala said he looked at the damage caused to the infrastructure in the city.
“As the custodian of the built environment, the minister has tasked the Council for the Built Environment, a DPWI (department of public works and infrastructure) entity, to mobilise, professionals, engineers, geologists and other specialists to stand ready to support the initiatives led by the Gauteng premier and City of Johannesburg leadership that are aimed at restoring normalcy, protecting the public and rebuilding of infrastructure,” said the department.
siyabonga.mkhwanazi@inl.co.za
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