Pretoria – An intervention by Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza that has led to 6 000 RDP houses being built in a short space of 100 days shows that quick delivery is possible, his spokesperson said on Monday.
This followed reports over the slow pace in delivery of a project that was aimed at delivering 10 000 low-cost houses by the end of the 2012/13 financial year, that ended on March 31.
“The whole is to ensure the delivery of these houses. But what the premier is doing now, is he is celebrating this progress. That is why he is saying [quick delivery] is possible, so this thing needs to be monitored,” said spokesperson Zibonele Mncwango.
In March this year, Mabuza announced the formation of a Rapid Implementation Unit (RIU) – which is stationed in his office – which was deployed to oversee the implementation of the housing units across Mpumalanga.
The team, made up of at least 15 officials from several departments, has since March made “direct contact” with contractors to ensure that they meet the 100-day delivery target.
At the same time, Mabuza showed about 65 contractors the door over their failure to deliver, which he said deprived many residents of human settlements.
Mngcwango said while not all houses have been built, the 60% progress that has been quoted in the media showed that the premier’s intervention has reaped rewards.
He said Mabuza has so far handed over houses in the Emalahleni and Thembisile Hani municipalities in Mpumalanga. – SANews.gov.za
