/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

CONTRACTORS in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality have supported the new demand data base by the Housing Development Agency (HDA) that will replace the old roster system in the Metro.

The new contractor demand database is aimed at creating transparency in the way work is allocated and distributed among the city’s contractors.

During a public report back meeting at the Lillian Ngoyi Sports Centre in KwaZakhele this morning, contractors expressed hope that the new demand database would help change their fortunes for the better by giving them access to more work opportunities.

The HDA has been charged by Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu with the responsibility of being a housing implementing agent on behalf of the three spheres of Government in the Nelson Mandela Bay over the next three years.

HDA Programme Manager in the Eastern Cape, Nicholas Tsewu, told the meeting that the Agency received over 1 500 expression of interest bids of which 431 were eligible to be allocated work immediately, whilst 741 needed to be trained through the SMME support programme run by the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC).

“I must emphasise that contractors will receive letters of appointment only when there is an approved budget and projects,” said Tsewu.

NHBRC’s Training Manager Mninawa Ngcobo told the contractors that those who have been selected for training will undergo training from the 1st of April for a period of 12 months and would also be enlisted in learnership programmes for three years. They will be in classroom and on site, where they will be allocated five houses to build under guidance.

Nelson Mandela Bay Deputy Executive Mayor Bicks Ndoni thanked the Department of Human Settlements for its transparency when doing business in the Metro.

“For us to have peace and security in the Metro, we need departments like these. Why are other departments not doing the same? We are here as a Municipality to give support to the Department of Human Settlements. All Government departments must follow suite. We want to make this part of our culture in this municipality,” said Ndoni.

Issued by The Department of Human Settlements