Minister Zikalala calls on the department and contractors to work together on ensuring smooth projects delivery.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala, has made an impassioned plea for his Departmental officials to work closely with the contractors to ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget. Failure to deliver the projects will also cost not only the Department but the individuals concerned as well.
Speaking at the latest Siyahlola engagement in the North West town of Matlosana, Minister Zikalala said that it is important for officials to be diligent in checking up on projects. He said that projects do not just collapse on their own, the problem often arises if the project management approach is not tight from the side of the departmental project managers, which eventually lead to delays and all sorts of problems.
“The delays are caused by the lack of coherent planning between the Department and the client Department. Our project managers are not hands on enough. Long explanations as to why projects are delayed for long time, do not help. We must be hands on and the Department must deliver as expected”, said the Minister.
He indicated that all Regional managers must be part of technical structures of the DDMs so as to know what is being planned and co-ordinated at all levels of government.
Speaking at the same event, the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Executive Mayor, Councillor Nikiwe Num, who was accompanying the Minister, dedicated the District leadership to be ears and eyes of the Minister on projects and how they were being implemented. She said that as part of the DDM work, they will conduct impromptu site visits to see to it that projects do not stall and all blockages are reported to the Minister. She advised that no trial and error should be tolerated on sensitive projects like the Klerksdorp Correctional Centre.
The Klerksdorp Correctional Centre is a R94,4-million project. The spectrum of work that is being covered includes, building related work as well civil, electrical and mechanical work. The project will also replace site sewer reticulation, cold water mains, internal warm water piping and irrigation water mains. The perimeter fencing is also being replaced. The project is expected to be finalised in 2025.
Media enquiries:
Lennox Mabaso
Head of Communications and Marketing
Department of Public Works and Infrastructure
Contact: 082 884 2403
And
Thami Mchunu
Director: Media and Stakeholder Relations
Contact: 079 519 6997
