Government's phasing out of the Local Economic
Development (LED) fund for supporting the small micro medium enterprise (SMME) training project that is situated in Emjindini, has
resulted in its future being uncertain.
The center, which cost R1,5 million to erect, was completed last year and its early objectives was to empower the local residents with
various skills so that everybody would be able to contribute in the mainstream economy of the province. This seemed, however, to be at
a standstill. Last year the center was able to offer only two courses, one in woodworking and the other in catering, before it closed
its doors.
The future looks grim if funding isn't secured soon.
According to Marlies Liebenberg, LED Co-ordinator the financing for the second year did not materialize due to the government phasing out
of the LED fund.
"A effort was made to access other funding but to date we have not been successful."
She said the business plan that was submitted to the LED fund made provision for two years for the training project to become economically
viable. "The first year's funding sum of R1, 5 million was approved and from these funds the building was constructed, woodwork and
catering equipment purchased as well as office furniture and a computer". The training in woodwork, hospitality and computer skills was
started through the council's service provider, Trentredev.
The center will remain a training facility for local residents in that it will be leased to accredited service providers.
Currently, according to Liebenberg it will be utilized by the woodworking students to enable them to get established and start earning
an income.
|
The Mpumalanga department of housing has
ordered the Umjindi municipality to terminate tenders of contractors who cause delay in the implementation of some of the projects.
This follows the failure of contractors to complete construction in some areas, resulting in various beneficiaries flocking to the council
offices for assistance. Construction of houses at extension 11, 12, 13, 14 and Ka-Madakwa, a compound located in the outskirts of Emjindini,
has been at a standstill for the last six months. Some of the houses were left with no roofing while others at foundation stage with
trenches still wide open and filled with rainwater.
A few beneficiaries who spoke to the Barberton Times, said that when the construction started, they were led to believe that it would last
not more that two months. As a result they were forced to demolish their shacks and erect temporary structures to provide space for the
houses to be built. With the recent heavy rains most residents said that their houses are leaking.
Lucas Morena of Umjindi housing confirmed that the housing project has come to a standstill and that residents are flocking to their
offices for assistance or provision of alternative accommodation.
According to Clr Derrick Ndlovu the present situation is of grave concern to the council. "We have made it quite clear that we won't
tolerate contractors who fail to deliver," he said.
To address the situation the council held talks with the department of housing and a prematurely conclusion was reached regarding
terminating tenders of contractors who performed poorly.
Five contractors, Bongiveli, Madubane CC, Hans & Ephraim, Mpumelelo and Umtsimba contractors were dropped and a list of four candidates
has been submitted to the housing department to replace them.
The five contractors were tendering for 220 subsidies jointly.
Ndlovu said other administrative communication with the department of housing are underway and the beneficiaries must rest assured, as
the housing crisis will be thing of the past soon.
|
