Story: Nikilitha Burns
A contractor has been appointed to construct a pavement along Victoria Road. The pavement will cover a distance of approximately 1.25 kilometres, starting from the mall and extending to Luvuyo Leromo School. The project is expected to take six months to complete and is valued at R7.7 million.
Portfolio Head for Technical Services in Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality Cllr Mhlangabezi Mancotywa said the project is expected to create job opportunities for local residents. He added that storm water channels will also be constructed as part of the project to ensure the pavement is durable and able to withstand weather conditions over a long period.
Meanwhile, SMMEs within the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality have raised concerns about the process followed in awarding the contract. The small business representatives say they did not see any public advertisement for the tender and feel that local SMMEs are often left with limited opportunities when such projects are implemented.
They argue that the municipality should have first engaged local SMMEs before calling community members to be hired according to wards, saying this approach leaves small businesses sidelined.
Responding to the complaints, Mancotywa said the value of the project does not include the usual 30% allocation that is often set aside for SMMEs. However, he indicated that guidance has been given that a meeting should be held with the contractor to clarify what portion of the work could still be allocated to local SMMEs.
