New contractor to be appointed for road and bridge project
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality is currently busy with the termination of the previous contract for the project in KwaMadlala.
After the community raised concerns that the Mvuzane bridge and road project in KwaMadlala had not been completed, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) has confirmed that the project will continue despite setbacks.
However, the municipality is still busy with the termination of the previous contract, after the contractor failed to complete the project.
Spokesperson for RNM, Simon April said the contract for the Mvuzane road and bridge in KwaMadlala was awarded to a contractor in July 2021, after an open tender process.
“Initially the project budget was R11-m, however, when it was discovered that the contractor had failed to complete it, R3-m had already been spent.
“Work started in August 2021 and the scope of work was the construction of about 2km of road, as well as the bridge culvert. The contractor indicated he had financial problems and has since vacated the site,” said April.
He said the municipality had to start the process of termination of the contract as the contractor failed to implement the works according to the terms of the contract; he failed to achieve the project milestones as submitted and approved before the work began and he failed to proceed with works as per the submitted programme of works including non-payment of labour.
“Once the prescribed termination process has been concluded, a new contractor will be appointed, ensuring that the project is completed for the benefit of the community.
“Unfortunately, legal processes take time, hence a delay in the finalisation of the termination process. The new tendering process will be completed in three months and the community can rest assured that our Department of Technical Services will attend to the issue of the dam that has developed within the culvert area and safely secures the construction site.”
Ward 15 councillor, Sifiso Ngwane said he is happy that a new contractor will be appointed, however, he feels that lack of supervision will result in the mismanagement of funds.
“I will make sure that I monitor the project. I will also establish a new steering committee which will be under my supervision.”
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