Klopperpark Fire Station project in court
With the construction came promises to residents and business of faster reaction time, as the station would be equipped with fire engines and ambulances.
Poor performance and sub-par workmanship were cited as the reason why construction work on the Klopperpark Fire Station was halted.
Now, with the matter between the contractor and the city in court, there is no clear indication as to when work on the R32-million project will commence again.
In mid-April 2019 the ground-breaking ceremony for the new facility took place.
With the construction came promises to residents and business of faster reaction time, as the station would be equipped with fire engines and ambulances.
ALSO READ: High volts blast appliances
The city saw a need for a new fire station as the community and industries in Elandsfontein, Klopper Park, Tunney, Isando and Meadowdale continue to grow.
“This station will greatly assist in cutting the response time to the area, which is seen as high risk,” said William Ntladi, spokesperson for Ekurhuleni DEMS, at the ceremony.
By February, construction work on the new fire station had slowed down.
When the NEWS recently passed the area, abandoned construction equipment and a site office could be seen through the decapitated fencing.
It appeared as though some of the equipment had been stripped and parts were taken.
Spokesperson for the City of Ekurhuleni Zweli Dlamini told the NEWS the initial contract was terminated ‘due to poor performance and workmanship’.
“It is a fact that the contractor was unable to perform the construction work in accordance with the approved construction programme and was unable to meet the set timelines of the scope of work, as agreed in the contract.
“A new contractor was appointed in November and the site was handed over in the same month,” he said.
In February the terminated contractor filed court papers against the city.
At this stage, the new contractor had already re-commenced work on site.
“Subsequently, the project was suspended until court issues can be finalised,” Dlamini said.
He assured the NEWS there is no monetary loss through the contract on the city’s part.
“The city followed the legal procedure stipulated in the contract to terminate the contract. The city paid only for the work done by the initial contractor.”
Dlamini said construction of the new fire station will resume immediately on finalisation of the court case.
“Initially the project was planned to be completed during the 2021/22 financial year. The new completion date will only be known on completion of court processes,” Dlamini said.
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za
