On Friday, 23 October 2015, the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Public Works, Roads, Transport and Community Safety has resolved to call an urgent meeting with the MEC for the Department of Public Works and Roads, Madoda Sambatha and Concor/Murray & Roberts in an attempt to ensure that learners from Mmadinonyane and surrounding villages go back to school after the community blocked them in protest of the non-completion of road D327 from Ganyesa to Mmadinonyane.
This came after the contractor, Concor/Murray & Roberts left the site in July 2015 due to non-payment of invoices by the department. The tender was awarded to the contractor in November 2013 at R265 million and community members signed employment contracts for 24 months. When the contractor left the site, employment contracts of employees were also terminated which then escalated community protests.
The Acting Head of Department, Mr. Vuyo Mbulawa said the department has since sourced additional funding to pay outstanding invoices.
“After payments, the contractor was requested to resume work on site but they want upfront payment of close to R50 million for performance guarantees in case the department defaults on future payments but we disputed it because it is not in line with regulations of the Public Finance Management Act.
“Due to the delays in completion of the road, the contractor also wanted to amend the initial contract amounts which could’ve escalated the amount to over R315 million,” said Mr. Mbulawa.
He said the department is engaging with the Developmental Bank of South Africa for a loan to fund budget shortfalls which will include current projects and will meet with the contractor on Monday, 26 October 2015 for further engagements.
The Mayor of Kagisano-Molopo local municipality, Cllr. Veronica Kekesi said the department should urgently ensure that the contractor is on site to finish the work as per scope of contract.
“We have been patient with both the department and the contractor and held endless meetings with all stakeholders including MEC, Councillors and community leaders but nothing has been resolved. The non-completion of the road has affected community members differently from leaners not attending school, to employees whose contracts were terminated being blacklisted by different financial institutions.
“Our Councillors and tribal authorities are also not safe anymore because of the delays,” said Cllr. Kekesi.
The Committee Chairperson, Hon. Jeanette Dibetso-Nyathi said the urgent meeting with the MEC and the Contractor aims to resolve the matter which has escalated community protests and affected learners from not writing final examinations.
“Our work as the Portfolio Committee is to ensure that the contractor is on site to finish the road and community members are regularly updated on developments. The workers interests and stakeholders in the municipality should also be respected,” said Hon. Dibetso-Nyathi.
She said the should be transparency and open communication in all processes concerning the construction of the road,” said Hon. Dibetso-Nyathi.
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