Residents of Ward 81 gathered at East Bank Hall, Alexandra on 20 January to be introduced to the contractor who will build River Park Clinic. The project is scheduled to last eight months and finish in August this year.
Following an opening prayer and a welcome by Ward 81 councillor Margaret Mokgadi Radebe, representatives of the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) introduced community members to the team from Solidaire Construction, the Bryanston-based contractor in charge of the project.
The R17-million Johannesburg Development Agency project will provide the community with local access to antenatal care and tuberculosis counselling and treatment, among other services. According to Creative Access Architects, its design is intended to be welcoming but practical, durable and energy- and water-efficient.
The project is also intended to empower the local community through the investment of 10 percent of its value in skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labour and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) based in Ward 81. According to JDA representatives, labourers and SMMEs were given the opportunity to register their CVs with Solidaire between September and October last year, but in response to appeals from residents, a further opportunity may be granted for such applications.
A position is also open for a community liaison officer who will communicate between the contractor and local residents. Applications are open between 26 January and 2 February, and should be handed in at the multipurpose centre on 8th Avenue, Alexandra. The successful candidate should have a matric pass, be fluent in English and local languages, familiar with local community and government structures, and able to write short reports, among other requirements. Community members who wish to know more about this position and the project are encouraged to visit the site office for information.
Radebe appealed to residents to interact constructively and positively with the contractor and the building process for the good of all, emphasising that what the community needs most is for the clinic to be built as quickly and as well as possible.
Details: www.solidaire.co.za
