There have been a lot of complaints about the apparent delays in the multimillion rand project to build an EMPD specialised services precinct in Boksburg South.
Work on the project originally began in May 2018, but the project has been delayed after the previous contractor completed the earthworks and site establishment.
This resulted in frustrated community leaders, including Ward 32 councillor Marius de Vos, expressing their dissatisfaction in a mission described as a failed project.
They have expressed strong disapproval of the way the project is being handled by the metro, saying the project is not even getting a mention in council meetings of late.
De Vos, who has for years been vocal in condemning the slow progress, pointed out that any delay in the construction process is costly to taxpayers, whose R6-million had already been spent on the neglected site.
The Advertiser has requested the metro to provide an update on the progress of the project, but officials have not yet responded.
In a statement early in March, the metro stated the City had finally appointed the contractors and they were set to commence with the construction phase of building one (K9).
However, almost nine months have come and gone since the appointment and construction works on the first building have not yet commenced.
It’s still unclear what prevented the contractors from starting work after they were appointed.
Initially, the metro said the first building (K9) was scheduled for completion on June 30, 2021, a two-year period.
But de Vos highlighted that taking into account it’s only about seven months before June arrives, and construction is not yet started, it’s most likely that the project will not be finished on time or within budget.
This publication revisited the site this week, and clearly the earthworks and site establishment done by the first contractor have deteriorated, and this is apparently due to neglect, vandalism and the heavy rains.
Commenting on this, de Vos said: “It’s become apparent that this will require the metro to redo the piece of work which costs taxpayers millions of rand. Such will constitute fruitless and wasteful expenditure on the part of the municipality.”
It was previously stated the project would costs an estimated R34-m, but de Vos speculates the project cost may see a substantial increase due to the delays.
In our May 17, 2019, story, we reported a well-placed source told this publication that construction works on the project, which had commenced almost two years before, was abandoned by the contractor after it apparently failed to deliver as required.
This almost a year after it commenced construction work.
The municipality, however, refuted the claims, saying the contractor delivered all that was required of it as per the terms of the contract entered into.
“The contractor was appointed to perform the total earthworks and site establishment as a multi-year project wherein three buildings – K9, SWAT and Pops – would be constructed,” said EMPD spokesperson Kobeli Mokheseng.
Also Read: Further delays in construction of EMPD precinct
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