The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Infrastructure Development, Hon. Lindiwe Lasindwa, has welcomed the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development’s (GDID) agreement with contractors to adopt radical measures aimed at improving efficiency and accountability in infrastructure development projects in Gauteng.

The Portfolio Committee on Infrastructure Development led by Hon. Lasindwa is responsible for providing oversight on the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development and oversees the Department’s programmes, expenditures and implementation of policies.

The Committee has in its assessment of the performance of the Department for the 2015/16 financial year, raised concerns about weaknesses in the Department’s project management culture and the continuous appointment of poor performing contractors which has a negative impact on some projects being completed on time.

On Friday, 9 December 2016, the Department signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with its contractors to pave a way for the creation of an effective working relations.

“The signing of a Service Level Agreement between the Department and its Contractors gives us as the Committee much needed comfort that the Department is beginning to move in the right direction in addressing concerns we have raised with them”  said Hon. Lasindwa

“We are pleased that the Department charged with the responsibility of delivering adequate infrastructure to client departments in order for them to execute their service delivery mandates is now adopting measures to strengthen its capacity to deliver and manage its projects efficiently”  add Hon. Lasindwa

Some of the measures contained in the agreement include:

  • The adoption of a Project Readiness Matrix. A tool designed to ensure that projects comply with, and meet, minimum standards at each stage of project implementation.
  • The adoption of a Service Level Agreement (SLAs) to eliminate wasteful and irregular expenditure.
  • The enforcement of quality control on all aspects of construction and ensure projects are completed on time and within the allocated budget.
  • The payment of invoices within 30 days.
  • Ensuring that job creation, through the Extended Public Works Programme, become a critical area of compliance and performance for every project entered into with the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (GDID).
  • Meetings on a quarterly basis to review progress and to allow contractors to engage with the MEC.

Hon.  Lasindwa applauded MEC Jacob Mamabolo for initiating such an agreement which demonstrates commitment to drive sustainable infrastructure development in Gauteng.

“As a Committee we would like to see this initiative bearing fruits for the people of our Province, while simultaneously creating significant number of jobs and strengthening the Department’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.  We will as part of our responsibility monitor the implementation of the commitments contained in this Service Level Agreement and will not hesitate to call the Department to account should the need arise”  concluded Hon. Lasindwa.

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