Contractors are in the cold face of human settlements delivery, thus, ought to know the Department's vision. Human Settlements MEC, Mr Speed Mashilo, made this assertion at a meeting with contractors, business people, and interest groups yesterday at Oakley, Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. The session is part of a three-day Executive Council Outreach Programme in the locality this week. The engagement fosters relations and promotes coherence among role players in human settlement delivery and development.
During the session, Mashilo denounced shoddy quality in building houses and attributed such to collusion between the contractors and inspectors. “As the department, we still have to keep up with the shoddy work from some projects. There is an unholy relationship between contractors and inspectors in these projects”, said Mashilo. He continued to say that contractors must not budge and give bribes to officials, as this has a detrimental effect on delivering quality houses.
The engagement also made some revelations regarding delays in the completion of projects. The most inhibiting factor highlighted by the contractors was crime targeted at service providers and workers in the area. One contractor, whose name is secret for fear of victimisation, said that Marite is the hub of criminals that harass and rob the contractor and the site. “The situation in Marite Village is hopeless; we do not know how to continue our work amid this harassment and robberies. We call the MEC to intervene and assist us”, said the contractor.
Another challenge that emerged from the engagement was the sub-contractors usage and treatment. Critical to the sub-contractor’s plight is the no payment on time and complete neglect. “As emerging contractors who are sub-contracting in these projects do not enjoy working with these contractors with many disputes over payments. We want the department to find ways of harmonising our relations, “ Musa Mndawu, an emerging contractor.
To this end, Mashilo undertook to convene an imbizo with the Marite community to rally their support and desist from criminal acts. He also advised contractors to strengthen their social facilitation programmes, which assist in getting the local communities into being part of the development. Concerning the sub-contractors, Mashilo reported that the Department is working on the legal document that the Department will sign, the main contractor and the sub-contractors. The agreement shall make it easy for the Department to intervene when such disputes arise.
The contractors were also enlightened on the processes involved in sourcing, registering homes and appointing service providers. Accompanying Mashilo was the senior officials from the government and the local councillors. The Executive Council Outreach is the public participation tool meant to bring the government closer to the people.
ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE
MPUMALANGA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
CONTACT: FREDDY NGOBE – 013 766 6014 / 082 859 4630/ flngobe@mpg.gov.za