By Sikhumbule Zwane and Phindile Shange
After visiting the KwaDukuza Home Affairs construction site in Stanger this week,the national Public Works and Infrastructure deputy minister made an undertaking that construction would pick up pace.
Mr Sihle Zikalala was in the North Coast town on Monday, visiting as part of Operation Siyahlola to inspect unfinished and stalled construction projects that the department is overseeing.
The department reported that the project, which was initially scheduled for completion in 2023, is now 70% complete and it will cost more than R45 million.
He said that the department is prioritising unblocking stalled projects and driving accountability to turn around the public works and infrastructure sector, responding to service delivery needs.
“We are concerned about the delays. We came here before on behalf of the Department of Public Works; we are building new offices and the contractors are struggling to finish these offices. We (have) placed measures (in place) to assist the contractor, but it’s clear that they have big problems,” he said.
He added that the department plans to dispatch a stand-by panel to address contractors who are unable to complete their work, but if they fail, they will be replaced.
Andile Gatsheni, the construction site project manager, said: “We had different challenges initially, especially (with) the drawings, which gave us a problem. We were waiting for the structural engineer to give us drawings, which he delayed for about 10 months. COVID-19, the July unrest and floods also caused delays.”
He added that they are working diligently to complete the offices by the end of November.
