GEORGE NEWS - The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DFFE) which is responsible for protecting, conserving, and improving the country's environment and natural resources, has recently approved just over R18m for the establishment of an integrated waste management solution for George.
This funding will be steered towards the construction of the composting facility over a number of years (22/23, 23/24).
The composting facility project was approved in line with the national government's Operation Phakisa, that was designed to fast-track the implementation of solutions to critical development issues.
"Phakisa" means "hurry up" in Sesotho and the project highlights the government's urgency to deliver and accelerate the delivery of certain development priorities.
According to George Municipality's Acting Director of Community Services, Sivuyile Mtila, this project consists of the construction of platform 1 (which includes access roads), platform 2, a retention pond, ancillary infrastructure, a new dry recycling facility, upgrades to the transfer station, project management and administration, design and supervision of construction works and upgrades to the transfer station.
"The project is not listed on the George Municipality's budget but is managed by the DFFE," said Mtila.
"This means that the department will also undertake the supply chain management process in collaboration with the George Municipality, to source a suitably qualified consulting engineering firm in accordance with the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) conditions of contract for plant and design-build and engineering works as the contractor for the design-build of an integrated waste management facility inclusive of a composting facility, dry recyclables facility and ancillary infrastructure."
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