SMMEs demands a piece of the pie in Shushumela roads project

PRAKTISEER

The Sekhukhune Times has uncovered the reasons behind last week stoppages on the Praktiseer Shushumela Access road.

The eight kilometres, Shushumela Contract A and B projects were introduced to the public by the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality on July 3. It’s now unclear if these projects will be completed within the stipulated time of 12 months.

The road projects was halted after disgruntled local SMMEs stopped the project citing lack of procurement opportunities on the project.

According to the SMMEs, they are sidelined when it comes to procurement opportunities at the project. They also alleged the outsourcing of labour as their other main concern.

“We were happy when the project was introduced, we felt it will improve our township, we also anticipated that we will get procurement opportunities as local businessmen. We were told, that we will be empowered but there is nothing locals are benefiting except for the roads being erected.
“The sad part is that all the opportunities are now handed to outsiders, while we are ignored. Imagine, seeing yellow machines and tipper trucks being hired from outside Tubatse, while we have them, its indeed a sad situation,” revealed one of the local SMMes in Praktiseer, Brilliant Terror Makofane.

Community members said when the project started, they were told about 40 local people will be hired. “Currently, only twenty people were hired. We are eagerly awaiting if the remaining number of people will be hired,” added another resident.

Meanwhile on November 1, Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality mayor Eddie Maila, engaged Praktiseer residents in Ward 13 and Ward 18 during community meeting held at Batubatse Primary School.
Maila cautioned individuals who deliberately disrupt projects with the aim of drawing attention or leveraging personal interests. He emphasised that such actions negatively affect progress, deprive communities of vital services, and should come to an end.
“There are established channels to raise concerns. We encourage residents to utilise these platforms in a respectful and disciplined manner. These projects belong to the community, and it is our shared responsibility to ensure they are successfully completed.”
The mayor further appealed to contractors to ensure transparency and fairness in subcontracting processes by advertising opportunities broadly and allowing SMMEs equal access and participation in the local economy.

After the November 1 bosberaad,  Makofane alleged they are intimidated by two men, who are not officials of the municipality nor part of the  contracting company whenever they raised their issues and grievances at the project.

“We wonder, what  they are benefiting, by attacking us when we ask genuine and relevant questions? he asked.

Makofane said part of their agreement with the FTLM and the contractor is that  local SMMEs will benefit from all sub contracts of  the equipment, including  the  yellow machines, as well as tipper trucks.

“We await for the job opportunities to be advertised, as promised, and we will then  try our luck. All we need is to be part of the project, that’s all.”