Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
The Amajuba District Municipality Disaster Management Centre is still not functional after construction was abandoned. The only question is why? Especially when considering the current climate, we find ourselves in.
Construction on the centre began on 10 November 2014, with the completion date earmarked for 11 January 2016. Yet, a simple drive to the facility reveals an atmosphere of neglect has fallen over the Government property: overgrown grass, a locked gate and one lonely deteriorating vehicle standing outside, baring the brunt of the elements.
The Disaster Management Centre’s core functions focus on assisting the community with issues including preventing and responding to disaster incidents, and conducting workshops and awareness campaigns. Amidst the current pandemic, these services would have provided much-needed assistance.
The question now stands, what is happening? Has the Amajuba District given up on opening the centre? Or can the community expect to see an operational building?
Sbonelo Cebekhulu, of the Amajuba District Municipality Communications Department, explains why the work on the facility came to a halt, is due to the service provider failing to meet the necessary deadline. This resulted in the contract between the Municipality and the service provider being terminated.
However, he states this did not mean the District Municipality gave up on seeing a fully operational Disaster Management Centre in the district.
Following the termination of the agreement, a legal process, according to Cebekhulu, had to be followed. This hindered the process of setting up the facility.
Furthermore, “We were only able to appoint a professional consultant in October 2020. Following the appointment of a professional consultant, the processes of appointing a contractor resumed before the end of last year. As per the appointed professional consultant, the remaining work should be completed within five months after the appointment of a contractor.”
With the history and plan forwarded addressed, the only question remains; what has the Disaster Management Centre cost the Amajuba District to date? Cebekhula states the figures stands as follows:
Construction costs: R32 521 418.36
Professional fees: R3 955 404.38
Total expenditure: R36 476 822.74
A hefty sum of money, to say the least.
Furthermore, the Municipality currently holds 15 employees who deal with Disaster Management throughout the area—these plus 14 new employees will be placed in the completed centre, all working as Control Room Operators. (CROs). A Fire Department will also be working from the facility. While this section is not yet operational, Cebekhulu assures, “All the functions relating to fire are performed by the Disaster Management Team, so the community is not affected at all. As their needs are attended to, without fail.”
With the Amajuba District Municipality assuring the facility will be functional in the foreseeable future, thereby justifying the expenditure, what are your views on the matter?
Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
3 Responses
People responsible for appointing these incapable contractors should also be held responsible.
Location pin please, where is this place located?
Report to the SIU and the Public Protectors office.
As an investigative journalist we expect this to be done on behalf of the community as the mouthpiece of our area we rely on your exposing such projects.
It was public funds that were used not private funding!
All political parties who make up the council, must be held responsible.