The installation of bulk sewer services in and around Mayfield is expected to be completed by the end of next month even though the contractor says they are behind schedule.
The project’s community liaison officer Zwelandile Malawana complained that bad weather and rocky areas in Phaphamani and some parts of Hoogenoeg had slowed down work on the project.
The installation of bulk sewer services in and around Mayfield is expected to be completed by the end of next month even though the contractor says they are behind schedule.
The project’s community liaison officer Zwelandile Malawana complained that bad weather and rocky areas in Phaphamani and some parts of Hoogenoeg had slowed down work on the project.
“Upon encountering a huge rock, we use a jack hammer to break it before the excavator resumes digging,” says Malawana.
“The trench we are currently digging in Phaphamani will be joined to a manhole in Zolani,” he explained. “We started digging trenches and laying sewer pipelines in September from Hoogenoeg to near the oval stadium.”
Site manager Bonginkosi Shembe of LG Construction said they are expected to be done by February but that they are behind schedule.
“According to the contract we are entitled to an extension on account of rainy days, before the municipality starts imposing penalties on us for missing the deadline,” he added.
The Mayfield housing development is expected to deliver 1 647 houses which is a drop in the ocean when compared to the municipality’s housing backlog which is estimated to be around 12 000. The development is funded by the provincial housing department.
Shembe said that since the project commenced eleven employees have left due to dismissals and resignations. “The four which we dismissed had violated the terms and conditions of employment contained in the letter of appointment which they individually signed when they started working for us,” he said.
He said that another challenge facing them is that after they cordon off trenches with poles and barrier tape people have been tampering with the tape to jump over the trenches.
“Should any life be in danger as a result of jumping over a trench, LG Construction will be liable for the damages due to something which could have been avoided,” he added.
He further alleged that some residents are stealing the poles used as part of the barricade to start fires in their homes while children were using the barrier tape to make kites. He also said that out of the 25 people employed by the contractor only two managers were from out of town.
“We are proud to announce that we have achieved and even exceeded the employment targets set by the government as we have 68% young people and 32% women including a disabled person in our employ.”
For each and every construction- related project the government wants 30% of the staff complement to be young and another 30% to be women.
The government also stipulates that the majority of workers should be living near where the project is taking place. “Most of our suppliers are here in Grahamstown, it’s only materials which are not locally available that we buy from outside town,” he emphasised.
In October the municipality gave ward councillors up to the end of November to update their waiting lists for housing so that the council’s Land and Housing portfolio committee can divide the houses among the different wards.
Makana Municipality’s spokesperson Thandy Matebese said the bulk sewer project costs approximately R2.8-million and that it will be completed by the end of March 2010.
He added that the portfolio committee will consider the updated lists from councillors and divide the soon-to-be built houses evenly among the different wards.
