RAL’s poor performing contractors face the wrath

LIMPOPO

A recent report has revealed that Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) has been plagued by poor performing contractors, with many projects not being completed on time.

Since the establishment of a panel of preferred contractors in the 2020/2021 financial year, RAL has appointed a total of 601 contractors and consultants.

However, 182 of these contractors failed to comply with agreed completion dates and timelines, with only one contractor being terminated due to poor performance and none being blacklisted.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has been vocal about the issue, with Marie Helm, DA Limpopo Spokesperson for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, calling for consequence management for the poor performing contractors.

“RAL’s poor performance in managing its contractors is alarming. It is unacceptable that only one contractor was terminated and none blacklisted despite numerous cases of poor performance is a clear indication of a lack of accountability,” Helm said.

The DA has previously raised concerns about the panel, stating that it is not in accordance with the Supply Chain Management legislation.

“The DA has previously criticized RAL’s panel of preferred contractors, which was established to streamline the procurement process. However, we noted that the panel has led to irregular expenditure, with RAL incurring R1.6 billion in irregular expenditure due to appointing contractors through this panel,” explained Helm.

She added that the Auditor-General has also found that RAL failed to follow proper procedures in appointing service providers, with some contractors being awarded contracts despite not meeting the necessary qualifications.

“Furthermore, some construction contracts were awarded to contractors that did not qualify for the contract in accordance with section 18(1) of the CIDB Act and Construction Industry Development Board Regulations 17 and/or 25(7A),” informed Helm.

She said the DA in Limpopo is calling on the province’s MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure Ernest Rachoene to ensure that poor performing contractors are held accountable and face consequences, including being blacklisted.

“MEC Rachoene must ensure that these contractors are held accountable and that there are consequences when they perform poorly to ensure that road projects in the province are of good quality, completed on time and within budget,” Helm said.

She said the party is committed to ensuring that RAL improves its performance and that the people of Limpopo have adequate road infrastructure.

“The people of Limpopo deserve better than to have their tax money wasted on poor quality road projects. We will continue to hold RAL and the provincial government accountable for ensuring that road projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required standards,” Helm concluded.

At the time of going to press, RAL Spokesperson, Danny Legodi, could not respond to enquiries sent by the paper.