Durban — The SA National Roads Agency SOC Limited (Sanral) board announced it has awarded four tenders worth more than R10 billion.
Sanral said the four tenders were from the five cancelled in June this year and were awarded this week after an evaluation process by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).
The tenders are:
- N2 Mtentu Bridge Awarded to CCCC MECSA JV - R4 050 000
- N3 Ashburton Awarded to CSC Base Major JV - R2 442 322 651
- R56 Matatiele Awarded to Down Touch Investments - R1 230 678 837.07
- N2/N3 EB Cloete Awarded to CSC Base Major JV - R5 023 458 797
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.
Sanral board chairperson Themba Mhambi said when the contracts were cancelled there was a concern by the executive about the impact it 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,” Mhambi said.
The road agency said that it will continue to prioritise infrastructure development in driving South Africa’s economic recovery. While this process has delayed the implementation of critical infrastructure upgrades, it has 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.
Daily News