After more than two years, the saga of the damaged sluice gate at Ntshingwayo (Chelmsford) Dam has finally concluded. According to the DWS, the gate has been officially repaired, ending a long-standing issue that has captured the community’s attention.
Wisane Mavasa, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), disclosed that the department received and subsequently installed a new gate at Ntshingwayo Dam in July 2024.
However, she noted that the contractor is now resolving a few issues that were discovered during the gate’s commissioning.
Concerned for the communities we serve, Newcastillian News first reported on the damaged gate back in January 2022. At the time, the Department of Water and Sanitation assured the community that their Infrastructure Management team was actively working on the repair, and there were no water losses due to the damaged gate.
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Yet, by August 2022, the gate remained unrepaired. The DWS explained that a quotation request had been given to the maintenance contractor, and a site briefing was conducted. The DWS emphasised the technical complexity of the repair work, which involved confirming the design with the latest principles, drafting new manufacturing drawings, and then proceeding with the manufacture, supply, delivery, and installation of the gate.
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In August 2023, the project faced another setback when disputes between the main contractor and sub-contractor, largely about payment issues, brought the work to a halt.
Despite this, the DWS assured the public that the contractor was committed to completing the project by mid or late October 2023.
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However, the project did not meet the October 2023 deadline. In March 2024, Newcastillian News reported that the gate had been manufactured and was ready for delivery and installation. But once again, another payment dispute between the contractor and sub-contractor caused further delays.
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With the broken gate now finally repaired, and as the contractor resolves the final snags, looking forward to ensuring that future urgent work is not hampered by delays such as the Ntshingwayo (Chelmsford) Dam, Mavasa said, “Disputes are part of the Engineering project/contract management and the Department will continue to follow the dispute resolution procedures, should they arise.”
Furthermore, the DWS has a robust maintenance plan for Ntshingwayo Dam to ensure its ongoing efficiency. The 2024/2025 maintenance plan includes 30 civil, 14 mechanical, and eight electrical projects.
As the dramatic chapter of the Ntshingwayo Dam debacle draws to a close, what are your thoughts on the above? Share your views in the comment section below.
One Response
The capable contractor probably had to perform under tenderpreneur? At what xtra cost and time delays?