Update

GEORGE NEWS - Construction work on the long road through Thembalethu, the Nelson Mandela Boulevard, has not been fully completed as initially scheduled. The deadline for this project was 30 June, after National Treasury gave the municipality a grace period of another year.

The project was awarded to Muravha Construction, a Gauteng-based company who submitted the only bid that qualified for the required Level 1 BBBEE criteria. The local consulting civil engineers, SMEC, is responsible for monitoring the project. When it became clear that the June deadline would not be met, the project was accelerated with revised plans to construct just two lanes as opposed to the original dual carriageway.

When George Mayor Melvin Naik gave feedback on the progress in Council recently, he was full of praise for the achievement and roll-out of the project. However, nagging concerns relating to the construction and changes in the initial plan have had councillors and qualified individuals grit their teeth.

An informed person, who wishes to stay anonymous, said Henra Civil Contractors had to be pulled in on number ninety nine to finish a botched project. The source alleged that the kerbs on the boulevard are wobbly, the road is skew and potholes have already formed in some places. "SMEC had to spend so much time trying to save the project that they couldn't fulfil their oversight role the way it should have been done," said the source.

"All acceptance control testing was carried out throughout the road construction,"  said Civils Director Reginald Wesso.

When asked about these red flags, the Director of Civil Engineering, Reginald Wesso, said Henra was appointed by the main contractor for asphalt work, both on the roadway and sidewalks. 

"All acceptance control testing was carried out throughout the road construction, and SMEC has given their assurance that all road and layer works have passed the specified tests. A localised defect in the road has been identified (at SV430) and will be rectified."

Wesso said the municipality is aware that the project has not been finally completed as initially scheduled, and Muravha has been informed of their contractual obligations. "A list of outstanding items has been submitted to the contractor for correction."

Open drains all along the roadside cause concern that accidents may happen when residents walk home in the dark.