Good progress on office park

R124m ‘one-stop centre’ for government

Amultimillion-rand office park project based at Komani Hospital by the department of roads and public works (DRPW) which will accommodate several government departments operating in the area, is at an advanced stage.

The Rep reported (“R124m office park on cards,” November 11 2016) that DRPW MEC Tandiswa Marawu said the departments of education and sport, recreation, arts and culture would be the first to move into the new building.

At the time, while speaking during the sod-turning ceremony of phase two, DRPW was in the process of getting rid of the properties it was leasing from privately owned landlords.

She said the department wanted to have a one-stop centre for government in the town.

This week, responding to queries from The Rep about the progress of the project, DRPW provincial spokesman Mphumzi Zuzile said the current expenditure on the project was R10.3-million.

“The Chris Hani district is one of the largest rural districts in the province. Office accommodation throughout the district, whether privately or publicly owned, is scarce.”

The Chris Hani regional management of the DRPW had thus identified some under-utilised land to construct government office accommodation.

He said the idea was to reduce the amount of money paid on rented office space and to ensure components of departments were housed in one building. “The project amount was R124-million with the contract duration of 24 months. The start date of the project was October 4 last year with the original completion date being November 4 next year,” he said.

The scope of work included the construction of a three-storey office block with a standalone ceramic studio and electrical and mechanical installations.

“Site works comprise paved walkways, internal roads and parking areas, stormwater reticulation, potable water reticulation, fire reticulation and sewers.”