Parliament, Wednesday, 13 September 2017 – The Portfolio Committee on Public Works has expressed grave concern about a new clinic that remains closed because the Department of Public Works owes the contractor payment for five months.
Yesterday, the Committee visited Centuli clinic outside Mthatha as part of its five-day oversight visit to the Eastern Cape.
The Committee thanked the contractor for building a state-of-the-art clinic and accordingly resolved to seek answers from the national department about the non-payment.
“It is simply unacceptable that a brand-new and well-equipped facility could remain closed to the detriment of the community. Someone must provide the answers,” said the Acting Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Freddie Adams.
Mr Adams said it is of serious concern both that the contractor was not paid for five months, and also that the clinic remains closed, even though R9.1 million of the R10 million budget has been spent.
Meanwhile, although concerned by a prolonged process of acquiring a site to build a new Mthatha magistrates court, the Committee has welcomed the commitment by Coega Development Cooperation, an implementing agent of the Department of Public Works, to refurbish and upgrade the current dilapidated building by December 2017.
“The R101 million project to upgrade the Eastern Cape High Court is also on course. We are going to monitor the project to ensure that it is completed within the schedule of 24 months,” said Mr Adams.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS, MR FREDDIE ADAMS
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