KwaZulu-Natal Department terminates contractor for Nkonjeni Hospital project delays

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has made a groundbreaking move by dismissing the contractor appointed to construct the maternity complex and associated support services at Nkonjeni Hospital in Ulundi.

The contractor was the first to face legal action due to performance issues on a works project instituted by the department. The department's firm stance is part of its efforts to enhance efficiency and quality in government projects within its domain.

The estimated time for the contractor to complete the Nkonjeni project was 26 months when it commenced in July 2020, but it subsequently dragged on for more than five years.

As a result, residents of northern KZN who relied on the facility for healthcare services, especially pregnant mothers, bore the brunt of the delay.

There were doubts about the workmanship, the quality of the materials used in the completed work, and the contractor's adherence to prescribed safety standards.

Throughout the project, the contractor failed to meet numerous adjusted deadlines, ignored requests to vacate the site when required, and was suspected of inciting locals to protest against the delays.

The KZN Public Works and Infrastructure Department, the custodians of the contract, resorted to issuing a letter of termination to the contractor for a project that carried a budget of over R98 million.

According to Clause 9.2 of the General Conditions of Contract, the department noted that the contractor failed to resume work for 14 consecutive days, which ultimately led to the decisive action taken.

Payments due to the contractor will be withheld to offset the costs of completing the project. If additional funds are required, beyond what remains, to complete the outstanding work, the contractor will be held accountable.

The department stated that the project delays have significantly impacted the 207-bed hospital and also affected the health services provided by the 17 local clinics in the area that were required to shoulder the responsibilities.

MEC Martin Meyer welcomed the termination of the contractor's contract and recognised the department officials and Acting Head of Department, Dr Vish Govender, for their commitment to ensuring quality service delivery.

About substandard work on projects, Meyer said: “The days of contractors conducting substandard work and still getting paid, while citizens continue to suffer, are over.

Contractors continue to be valuable stakeholders for us, and wherever possible, we are more than willing to assist should they need our help in completing projects.

However, we will also come down hard on those whose agenda is simply to milk the department of taxpayers’ money with no intention to deliver a quality product.”

DAILY NEWS