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GREAT opportunities await emerging contractors as the Department of Roads and Public Works takes ground-breaking steps in ensuring that they not only access the mainstream economic activity, but also prove that they are capable of participating and contributing positively to the socio economic development of the South Africa.

This became apparent today (28 March 2001) when Roads and Public Works MEC, Phumulo Masualle, launched the Emerging Contractor Development Programme (ECDP) in Bisho, which he described as marking "yet another milestone in the path towards the creation of a better life for all".

"In the words of the President, this will mark a further step in the government's strides to demonstrate the nation working together to create a better life for all," he said. "This programme is meant to denote the reality of a nation at work."

According to the MEC an amount of R400 000 was utilised to kick off this programme and another R500 000 has been put aside to run with the programmes which include training for small and emerging contractors that were not afforded opportunities to access mainstream economic activities because of the systems of the previous political dispensation.

"This may seem to have been the rule, as one may argue, given the free market system of the time, however, the situation was more prevalent with the previously disadvantaged communities/groups," he said.

To ensure that the launch was not just a publicity stunt, Masualle said as from today (28 March 2001) computers and software were to be installed at regional offices of the department to enable the process of the registration of contractors to begin.

"As of present, there is no data available on the existing contractors on the side of Provincial Government," he said.

The ECDP has the these milestones to achieve:

1. Training of works inspectors and help desk facilitators running concurrently with the present process of the installation of the necessary electronic equipment;

2. Within the roads section, maintenance work that cannot be performed by the in-house personnel for whatever reason/s will be directed towards the emerging contractors in particular designated in rural areas as part of the rural economic development process;

3. Department to improve its payment cycle process to adhere to Public Financial Management Act directives of not later than thirty days payment cycle;

4. Lifting the standards of present contractors and those that may emerge in the process to the extent that they are able to participate actively and independently in the mainstream economy of our Province.

5. Bring on board other Provincial departments such as Local Government, Housing and Traditional Affairs, Health, Welfare as well as Education during the implementation of the programme.

MEC Masualle was emphatic that the programme was not intended to start or commerce new contractors but was there for the advancement of the present small and emerging contractors.

"The basic principle of the programme is that one has to be technically sound and should be able to participate in the programme. This will be done through a thorough training programme of which 90 percent will focus on business management and, including, tendering processes.

"An agreement that presently exists between the National Department of Public Works and DFID for training will be used, while we will continue to explore the possibility of securing funds from the Department of Labour as well as the Eastern Cape Development Corporation," he said.

Subsequent to today's launch there will be regional launches that will take to the local structures this programmes which should begin by June 2001. These local structures will ensure that there is proper co-ordination in our programmes as a department and government in general.

Contact: Xolisa Jakuja at 082 374 0042/040 6094447

Issued by Roads and Public Works, Eastern Cape

28 February 2001