Underperforming contractors and consultants doing business with the Department of Human Settlements in Mpumalanga will have their contracts terminated if there is no drastic improvement in delivery outputs. This is as the Department sets to accelerate efforts to improve performance by meeting planned targets. This came out at a meeting between MEC Speed Mashilo and entities delivering Community Residential Units, Social Amenities and integrated human settlements projects in Mbombela this week. The move is part of a turn-around strategy by the Department to achieve targets on mega and other projects.
It has come to the attention of the Department that some contractors are battling to meet set targets. As a result, projects are taking a long time to be completed. MEC Mashilo appealed to contractors with capacity challenges to come forward and engage with the Department to avoid their contracts being terminated. “I want to caution all the contractors that the delivery of integrated human settlements is the centre of our mandate”, charged Mashilo.
During the meeting, contractors cited, amongst others, issues of public unrests, business interest and the lack of bulk infrastructure as challenges delaying delivery. An appeal was made that the Department intervenes on these issues to help ensure the smooth running of projects. Acting Head, Ms Hazel Zitha commended contractors who are doing well and urged those who are not performing to pull their weight.
Mashilo advised contractors who are failing to deliver on time that their contracts will be terminated since they are not assisting the Department in reaching its targets. “Some of the contractors were appointed years back and yet are still struggling to deliver which led to a finding by the Auditor General”, stressed Mashilo. The department plans to deliver 300 CRU’s units and 07 Social amenities this financial year at various parts of the Province.
ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE
MPUMALANGA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
CONTACT PERSON: FREDDY NGOBE – 013 766 6014 / 082 859 4630