26 Apr 2021

Kanye South MP, Dr Lemogang Kwape has expressed displeasure in the manner Estate Construction was conducting its business.

He said this during a meet and greet session with the company management on Thursday, meant to address arrays of concerns reported to Kanye South parliamentary constituency office in relation to the company.

Estate Construction is constructing Kanye sanitation project, a tender that was awarded and commenced in 2015.

In his remarks, Dr Kwape, also Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation shared that he had received numerous complaints from residents, primarily on the unsafe construction practices conducted by the company.

“I get calls from residents complaining bitterly, primarily worried by the way in which construction is done, which they say is not safe,” he said.

He relayed that there were complaints about some employees of the company, who were uncooperative and at times rude during their interaction with the residents. He said the aggrieved residents complained about closed access roads to their residences, and that the company was not consulting with those to be impacted by the works.

Dr Kwape said the residents were concerned about the company not attending to faults or restoring water services of affected homesteads.

He urged the company to conduct its daily routine work in a manner not causing major disruption to critical services, such as water supply to residential areas.

“Due diligence must be practiced at all costs as it might end up taking years to fix,” he said.

He cautioned about unsafe driving of dump trucks driven at high speed within internal roads, endangering children’s lives and posing dust pollution to nearby residences.

“There is no provision for dust suppression and its only done when one complains about it,” he said.

Dr Kwape said that the aim of the meeting was to engage in good faith, find amicable solution to problems experienced by the community as a result of the ongoing construction.

He said there was need for the company to facilitate ease of movement for the community so that they could embrace and appreciate the project.

“As much as we want developments, we want it done in a manner that will make it easier for the community to own such development,” he said.

He cited that poor rehabilitation of trenches has impacted movement of residents, thus making it difficult for them to access their homes.

He noted that it was paining for the community complaints to be left unattended for a long time.

He pleaded with the company to do its best to address challenges of open trenches, and excavated rocks left lying around for a long time in the village.

He reiterated that the company should ensure that sign boards and other warning mechanisms were in place to alert the residents.

The minister commended government for providing civil infrastructure works for Kanye out of many villages in the country.

He appreciated contribution made by Estate Construction in ensuring facilitation of sanitation scheme for Kanye residents.

“As the community we are willing to work with you.

The company must engage village leadership and collaborate in addressing concerns raised by residents and other stakeholders.

For his part, Estate Construction project manager, Mr Steve Reeder appreciated the MP’s visit and his relaying of issues worrying the community.

He acknowledged that the company was aware of the issues.

He, however, shared that it was difficult to do construction in a rocky build-up area.

Nonetheless, he indicated that the company had made considerable effort to address issues raised by the residents, and assured the minister that they would do their best to address all concerns that may crop up.

He appealed to all to always take their complaints to the company offices, adding that the office stood ready to assist residents.

“In the spirit of engagement, we are willing to work with the village leadership and will do our best to continue doing so, but the advent of COVID-19 has made it difficult to continue doing more consultations.

I am adamant that we can still make things better,” he said. ENDS