By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari visited the Gelukspan District Hospital to get first hand updates and evidence of the refurbishment project progress. The visit was part of Lehari’s Re Bona ka Matlho Programme, which is about visiting hospitals and clinics to get first-hand information.
The visit to Gelukspan Hospital follows a negative media report and complaints from locals over the alleged slow provision of health-care services in the area. Lehari and the management of the hospital, discussed an array of issues including the delay in the completion of the building of a theatre at the hospital.
“The project entails additions and upgrades with the scope covering upgrades to the theatre, mortuary, kitchen and laundry, as well as construction of a new MDR-TB ward.
“It was awarded to a joint venture between Mpfumelelo Business Enterprise and Kolwana Holdings in early 2022, while the site was handed over in August 2022. We discussed challenges encountered during the first stages of project implementation,” he said.
Lehari further said the project managers highlighted that the contractor did not perform nor provide resources as was required per the contract from the outset. He added that subsequently, the contractor was issued with four default notices between September and December 2022.
“A recommendation to terminate the contract was prepared in mid-December 2022. However, in early January 2023, the contractor issued a default notice for late payment to the department and subsequently self-terminated the contract based on the same reason.
“The contract managers further ascertained that the payment in question was not late, but could not immediately be processed as additional information and supporting documents were requested from the contractor, which was timeously communicated to them,” said Lehari.
He said due to the limited progress the termination was not challenged. Lehari said the progress made by the time of termination is that the contractor demolished the existing theatre and mortuary, started on the ground preparing for the new kitchen and started on foundation trenches for a new MDR-TB ward.
“The project was then advertised with the scope that entails the same work as for the first project, excluding the work executed by the first contractor. The bid was awarded to a joint venture between Rembu Construction and Peregrine Multiservice in March 2024.
“The handover of the site was done on 27 June 2024. We demand a commitment from everyone that the project be finished within the agreed time frame. I see progress here,” he said.
Lehari said they must improve in monitoring projects. He said they should also strive to deliver without delays going forward.
The Guardian 