Macpherson unveils six-point plan to expedite govt construction projects

Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson has presented a new action plan to speed up the government's construction projects, which includes blacklisting contractors who do not deliver.

Macpherso’s six-point construction action plan will involve the digital tracking of all construction projects and ring-fencing budgets to ensure that contractors are paid on time.

Unveiling the plan in Parliament on Wednesday, Macpherson said it was high time that contractors who do not deliver and act with impunity are held accountable.

Macpherson said he feels the frustration of ordinary South Africans who witness incomplete and slow government-run construction projects while squandering taxpayers' money.

He said there is no sugarcoating the problems, and the department has to shoulder the blame for abandoned construction sites, delays, and poor workmanship.

"We are saying publicly that the system has failed too often but that it can be fixed, and it is being fixed. This turnaround will not happen overnight," Macpherson stated.

Macpherson’s plan includes all rovincial departments pulling their weight to restrict contractors who have been blacklisted from popping up in a new province under a new company name.

"These committees will compile and submit lists of non-performing companies, to prevent repeat offenders securing new state contracts. This database will then be used to reference companies and individuals who have been blacklisted. If you have failed the state once, you will not be given a second chance to waste public funds," the minister explained.

By March next ear, Macpherson said every Public Works project will be listed on a digital database for real-time tracking. This database will allow for early risk detection and intervention.

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