An infrastructure improvement project at the Anderson Primary School in Griekwastad “has been hanging for more than a year now”.
Work on a double-storey building at the school has not been completed yet, while it was supposed to be handed over in March.
“Currently, the teachers and learners have to make use of the premises in the state it is,” says a person involved at the school.
The incomplete work, building rubble and equipment not only is a sight for sore eyes, but also poses a safety risk for the more than 900 learners at the school. It also has an influence on performance.
“Local enterprises and other local labourers have been waiting for their payments for more than three months now. Security personnel that are still on site only received payment for May, yet the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) keeps telling us about their processes.”
Informed person at Anderson Primary School
“The main contractor was terminated three months ago, yet no clear answer was given as to what the way forward is,” the person says. “And what about all those labourers who worked without a contract on site?
“Also, expenses for the ramp for children with a disability and school furniture are being cut because of other expenses. How many materials are going to waste because of their mismanagement?”
Department ‘acknowledges’ delays
Geoffrey van der Merwe, spokesperson for the Northern Cape Department of Education, says the project is being implemented through the DBSA, which was appointed as the implementing agent by the Department of Basic Education as part of the Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (Asidi) programme.
“The Northern Cape Department of Education is aware of the delays currently affecting the project and is in regular communication with the DBSA to monitor progress and mitigate risks.
“According to the DBSA, the original contractor was formally terminated due to non-performance, following due legal process.
“All payments due to the terminated contractor were processed, and as such, any outstanding payments to subcontractors and enterprises contracted under the main contractor, fall under that contractual agreement,” he says.
The DBSA is working with its legal department to assess payment requests to avoid instances of potential double payment.
Also, the DBSA has submitted additional documentation for legal review and is awaiting internal approval to release payments where possible.
Apparently, the procurement process to appoint a replacement contractor has already commenced.
A site briefing was held last week, and work is expected to resume in September, pending the appointment of the new contractor.
“The department acknowledges the impact these delays may have had on local workers.
“We continue to work closely with the DBSA to expedite the next phase of the project and to ensure that the Anderson Primary School receives the necessary infrastructure improvements as soon as possible.”
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