KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has given the assurance that no contracts are awarded to incompetent companies and individuals with no proof of quality and capacity to work on projects related to flood interventions.
Dube-Ncube said the involvement of the office of the Auditor General has ensured that all contracts pass the scrupulous test of value for money through a fair and transparent competitive process.
“We have put in place measures to prevent any form of criminality in the awarding of tenders associated with disaster relief packages. The people of this province have placed their trust and faith in us as elected public representatives across all political parties,” Dube-Ncube said.
Highlighting the interventions made by the provincial government and municipalities to assist people who were severely affected by the April floods, Dube-Ncube said that MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, has confirmed that an enduring partnership with the eThekwini Municipality has helped turn around the situation.
Mahlaba announced that the department and eThekwini Municipality have had fruitful discussions to acquire the Montclair Transnet Lodge Complex and use it for social housing purposes.
The complex was invaded by the communities who have since been moved back to their original shelter at Yellowwood Civic Centre and Tehuis Hostel.
Land parcels acquired
In addition, the Premier said that Dr Mahlaba confirmed that about 38 land parcels were acquired from the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, KZN Department of Public Works and eThekwini Municipality, totalling 78 hectares.
“Detailed assessments on the 38 recommended properties are complete. There are about 92 shelters, which have been linked to land parcels that have been acquired for the building of homes,” Dube-Ncube said.
The land parcels, which are at different stages of readiness, include three land parcels which are at site clearance stage; five land parcels are at a Pre Award audit stage; 23 land parcels are at detailed planning stage; and a balance of the 44 are at circulation, assessment and feasibility stage.
The Premier also noted that the acquisition of La Mercy Land from Hullet is now at an advanced stage with all necessary approvals being fast-tracked.
In order to speed up the process of the construction of the temporary residential units and homes in acquired land parcels, the Premier said that it has been agreed that the provincial department of Human Settlements must be involved in the planning and provision of bulk infrastructure, such as water and electricity.
Procurement
The Premier also announced key major milestones, which have been reached; these include the completion of the procurement of service providers to deal with earthworks on all of the identified sites from Ntshongweni to Ntuzuma including Reservoir Hills.
“The last phase has been completed following approvals from Provincial Treasury and Auditor General. The department is now ready to deploy contractors to kick-start earthworks for construction of roads and provision of bulk infrastructure such as water and sanitation. On Monday [29 August], we will do a site handover of the first batch.
“We remain committed to providing support to flood victims so that they get their lives back to normal, this should include entering into discussions with owners of residential buildings that could be utilised as a temporary intervention, while government continues working on a permanent housing solution,” Dube-Ncube said.
Parliament’s Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Flood Disaster Relief and Recovery is currently in KwaZulu-Natalon a three-day oversight visit to assess, among other things, progress on the interventions made by the provincial government and municipalities, especially in the areas that were severely affected by the floods.
The committee’s oversight visit began on Tuesday. – SAnews.gov.za
