Premier Sylvia Lucas led high level delegation of provincial government leaders to a meeting between the leadership of the ruling party (PWC) and the JTG Road Forum together with the Traditional Leaders (Kgosi), yesterday on the 10th September 2014.

This meeting was convened with the intention to give a report back on the progress with regards to the construction of the road connecting the Dithakong and other villages with the N14 between Kuruman and Vryburg.

The meeting took place in an atmosphere of robust engagements yet with a jubilant and respectful mood, unlike what we have been witnessing in the media space.

MEC Rooi who is responsible for the Department of Public Works and Roads, gave a brief but detailed update of the process of the roll-out of the road and the tender process which was followed according to the SCM regulations. He indicated the following in his presentation:

• That the tender went out in June for the construction of a 57 km road between Heiso, Laxey, Samsokolo and Dithakong villages.
• The tender closed on the 18th July 2014.
• All the necessary adjudication and Evaluation committees sat during the month of August 2014.
• The Departmental project team concluded its work and awarded the tender to the two successful contractors, which are Tau Pele Construction and Down Touch Construction.

The contractors are ready to begin with the necessary work  by putting up site immediately, even when they are required to do so within 14 working days by law, due to the sensitivity of this project that has affected schooling in the area for so long.

The meeting further agreed that the Department of Public Works can do a site hand-over ceremony and introduce the contractors to the community on the 12th September 2014 (Friday). Further details of the roll-out of the project will explained at that level in transparent manner to the community and the stakeholders, which will include the Road Forum and the Traditional Leadership of JTG.

However, the Department made the meeting aware that they have been served with a lawyer’s letter by one of the companies that tendered for the project, indicating their intention to contest the appointment of one of the contractors that has been appointed.

This Legal issue might  cause a delay in the roll-out of the project in one area, but the commitment of the provincial government remain to deliver on the promise that we made to the people of the JTG district.

We further want to commend all the role role-players and some of the national government Ministers who assisted to resolve this matter.

Provincial government under the stewardship and leadership of Premier Lucas, is committed to deliver on the much needed services in JTG, especially because this district is one the two areas identified as a Presidential Rural Nodes  in the Northern Cape province.

Government remain committed to address the high levels of poverty and unemployment in the district. I his closing remarks MEC Block said “ never can we sit back and do nothing when 80% of the world’s Manganese and Iron Ore reserves are being mined in this area, but there is 80% poverty all over. We, as government, will work with all of the stakeholders to address this situation”.

We are confident that this agreement and the meeting of Friday will go a long way to resolve the matter of the reopening of the school and ensure that the children go back to school as early as Monday.

Issued by : Communications Unit – Office of the Premier.
Enquiries: Monwabisi Nkompela
Head of Communications