Civil Engineering June 2021 | Vol 29 No 5

Civil Engineering June 2021 7 dealt with swiftly. This will allow us to focus on infrastructure delivery with KPIs that progress most, if not all, of our socio- economic indicators. PURSUING A BETTER RECOVERY While a successful Covid-19 vaccine rollout is considered the most important driver of the recovery from the pandemic, infrastructure investment remains as urgent as ever and is increasingly viewed as key to creating forward economic momentum. Governments worldwide are preparing to invest trillions of dollars in new economic and social infrastructure to address backlogs and provide the basis for future economic resiliency. Current infrastructure development methodologies do not enforce imperatives such as climate change resiliency, with a focus on the vulnerable, for example. The climate com- mission has to integrate with infrastructure development and execution to ensure that we encapsulate the constructs of the Sustainable Development Goals. I remain confident that we have the technology solutions, plans, skills and access to resources needed to make good on our socio-economic demands. In so doing, we have to improve on previous methodologies to ensure that our solutions are future-fit and meet sustainability and resiliency objectives. Such objectives have to be woven into the community social compacts that are yet to be developed. Government has moved on establishing the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, but it needs to move past the literature stage and contribute to technology solutions required to speed up delivery. The vaccine rollout could have been an opportunity to exploit new technology to fast track and coordinate vaccinations, for example. Social compacting, professionalising the public service, implementing the identification of engineering work, structural reforms, stabilising our state-owned companies, and improving our ability to hold public officials accountable are some of the initiatives that have to deliver results in a new world order through the adoption of technology. Digital infrastructure is seen as a key platform for generating and sustaining higher levels of future-proofed growth. While there is mention of new regulatory frameworks available to support initiatives, short-term gains are needed. Effective leadership in executing work effectively within the current regulatory frameworks can serve us well. We are one of the best at integrating plans, managing complexity and change, and being pragmatic, culturally warm and diverse, with almost all of the resources required to progress – but we are in dire need of the political will and effective leadership to make good on the promises we make to ourselves. In summary, we cannot adopt a wait-and-see mindset any longer. We have to move a lot faster with a technologically em- powered mindset. Waiting and hoping has caused society to fail itself in allowing socio-economic circumstances to deteriorate to this point. As hindsight is a perfect science, we can see that much could have been done differently in the last decade, but was not. However, we have learned, resulting in greater aware- ness. We must never again allow this to happen and we must promise ourselves that while we hurt as a nation now, we have learned much and gained wisdom that, going forward, every leader is accountable, without exception.  BRAVE/6737/MOM/E Think of it as life cover for your income. Income protection covers a key element of your success – earning power. Momentum’s innovative income protection covers it better than any other – by being flexible enough to meet your unique, changing needs. Terms and conditions apply. Momentum is part of Momentum Metropolitan Life Limited, an authorised financial services and registered credit provider. Reg. No. 1904/002186/06. By adding our Permanent Disability Enhancer, you can choose between a monthly income, lump-sum payout or a combination of both when you have a qualifying claim. If you choose a monthly payout, but pass away before the end of the benefit term, the remaining payouts will be paid to your beneficiaries. Get the most comprehensive, flexible income cover available. Contact your Financial Adviser and move to momentum.co.za Here for your journey to success