Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Sihle Zikalala, has called on officials to work closely with contractors to ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Zikalala said failure to deliver projects will also cost not only the department but the individuals concerned as well.

Speaking at the latest Siyahlola engagement in the North West town of Matlosana, Zikalala said it is important for officials to be diligent in checking up on projects.

He said that projects do not just collapse on their own; the problem often arises if the project management approach is not tight from the side of the departmental project managers, which eventually lead to delays and problems.

“The delays are caused by the lack of coherent planning between the department and the client department.

“Our project managers are not hands on enough. Long explanations as to why projects are delayed for a long time, do not help. We must be hands on and the department must deliver as expected,” he said on Tuesday.

Zikalala indicated that all regional managers must be part of technical structures of the District Development Model (DDM) so as to know what is being planned and co-ordinated at all levels of government.

The Minister’s visit comes ahead of the second leg of the DDM Presidential Imbizo which will be held on Friday, 20 October at J.B. Marks Local Municipality in Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality.

Speaking at the same event, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Executive Mayor, Nikiwe Num, who was accompanying the Minister, dedicated the district leadership to be the ears and eyes of the Minister on projects and how they were being implemented.

Num said as part of the DDM work, impromptu site visits will be conducted to see to it that projects do not stall and that all blockages are reported to the Minister.

She advised that no trial and error should be tolerated on sensitive projects like the Klerksdorp Correctional Centre.

The Klerksdorp Correctional Centre is a R94. 4million project. The spectrum of work that is being covered includes building related work as well as civil, electrical and mechanical work.

The project will also replace site sewer reticulation, cold water mains, internal warm water piping and irrigation water mains. The perimeter fencing is also being replaced. The project is expected to be finalised in 2025.

Meanwhile, the North West provincial government said the imbizo aims to create an interactive platform for President Cyril Ramaphosa, Ministers and the provincial leadership to engage with communities and find solutions to challenges of socio-economic concerns confronting them on a daily basis.

The provincial government said the imbizo is aimed at intensifying the provision of services, promoting social cohesion, and advancing developmental programmes aimed at creating economic opportunities for locals. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency