Poor-performing contractors fired
JDA fires contractors who have delayed several projects and failed to uphold good workmanship.
MMC of Development Planning Belinda Echeozonjoku witnessed the alarming low quality of some of the construction in Diepsloot and Blairgowrie during an inspection on projects delayed due to inadequate contractors.
The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) has had to revoke its own service providers’ contracts due to project delays and poor workmanship. The overall contract value is close to R244 million. The contractors in question have already spent R88.5 million.
“Non-performing contractors not only cause unnecessary delays to much-needed community projects but also deprive people of the opportunity to enjoy basic services. I have consistently called for contractors, who fail to deliver projects on time and hold the City to ransom, to have their contracts terminated,” said Echeozonjoku.
She added that recruiting new contractors for the project is currently in progress and most of the contracts are set to begin this financial year.
Siyabonga Genu, the JDA’s acting CEO, said the agency recently experienced instability, affecting operations, but management was hopeful that things would improve.
“We have developed a consolidated procurement plan that is being tracked weekly by myself, as the acting CEO. We have also started talking about a long-term plan to introduce an e-tender process to create efficiencies and transparency. The planning for the next financial year has already started and we are optimistic that the current interventions will be evident.”
Echeozonjoku said it was disappointing that the matter had come to this, as these initiatives were designed to help the community get basic rights, such as providing adequate road infrastructure, accessible open spaces, and accessibility to healthcare facilities.
“The termination of these contracts also shows a major improvement in oversight and the JDA’s commitment to a well-run Joburg.”
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