Lakeside Primary School learners in Boksburg are being taught in an unconducive environment, dilapidated infrastructure, and exposure to electrical wiring because of shoddy workmanship by the contractor.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng demands that the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) urgently engage the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (GDID) to ensure that this school is fixed to deliver quality education.
Despite R55 million spent so far renovating the school, it has been left in a worse state than before construction began. The subcontractors are threatening the school due to non-payment from the main contractor, whose contract was terminated after failing to complete the renovations and building of combi courts.
A new contractor was appointed and meant to start work in June last year. However, the so-called business forum in the area has blocked the contractors from commencing the work, demanding that their grievances be addressed first.
The DA Gauteng demands that GDID give a full breakdown of how R55 million was spent and timelines as to when the renovations will be completed.
For far too long, the DA Gauteng has been calling for the dissolution of the incompetent Department of Infrastructure Development, which has constantly failed to complete infrastructure projects within the stipulated timelines and budget. We have raised this issue with the previous Premier, David Makhura, and the same with Premier Panyaza Lesufi; however, our demand has fallen on deaf ears. This department continues to fail to deliver on its mandate. We also demanded that GDE be in charge of its infrastructure projects to ensure adequate service delivery.
Despite Premier Lesufi highlighting during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) this year again the need to build new schools and that work has begun on building two of the proposed 18 new schools, delays in completing school projects are of concern to the DA. There is a lack of monitoring and supervision of the projects which leads to shoddy workmanship and contractors being unable to complete the project on time and within budget.
A DA Gauteng-led provincial government would immediately ensure that the shoddy workmanship at the school is fixed. Furthermore, proper vetting of contractors will take place to ensure that only qualified contractors who can complete the work are appointed. Any contractor found to be unable to complete key infrastructure will be blacklisted from doing business with the government.