Sanral happy about the awarding of four tenders cancelled in June
|Published
The longest and highest ramp on the N2 Umgeni Road interchange improvement project was opened yesterday. Picture: Supplied.
Johannesburg - The Board of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced that four of the five tenders cancelled in June this year have been awarded this week following an evaluation process by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).
The awards have been made to Mtentu Bridge (Eastern Cape) valued at R3.428 billion; to CCCC MECSA JV, for the R56 Matatiele rehabilitation valued at R1.057bn; to Down Touch Investments for the Ashburton Interchange valued at R1.814bn; to Base Major/CSCEC JV and EB Cloete Interchange Improvements valued at R4.302 billion to Base Major/CSCEC JV.
Sanral said in light of the recent announcement by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to scrap e-tolls, a decision on the Open Road Tolling tender (TCH Operator) has been put on hold pending clarity on key issues.
“We wish to express our sincere thanks to the DBSA for undertaking the evaluation and adjudication of the tenders and indeed for the speedy manner in which the process was resolved.
“We are also deeply grateful to the industry for its patience in re-submitting tenders for these contracts and waiting for the adjudication process to be concluded,” said SANRAL board chairperson Themba Mhambi.
Mhambi said when the contracts were cancelled, there was understandably a concern by the executive on the impact this would have on the country’s infrastructure development agenda.
“We accordingly undertook to both President Cyril Ramaphosa and Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula that we would do everything possible to ensure that we mitigate the impact on the construction industry and the economy.
“And that meant re-advertising, evaluating and awarding the tenders within four months after they were cancelled. We are happy that we have lived up to that commitment and in the process learnt valuable lessons about how to handle tenders with speed to keep the country’s economic development on the boil,” said Mhambi.
He said Sanral would continue to prioritise infrastructure development in driving South Africa’s economic recovery.
While this process had delayed the implementation of critical infrastructure upgrades, it had to be balanced against healthy governance and the need to ensure compliance with all relevant procurement and legal prescripts when Sanral awards any and all tenders going forward.
“Our congratulations go out to the successful bidders, and we look forward to seeing the true impact of these projects in the lives of the road users and communities we serve,” said Mhambi.
The Star