Question NW1658 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
29 June 2023 - NW1658
Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
Whether his department has been approached to procure a new generator for the Home Affairs office in Graaff-Reinet; if not, (a) what is required to expedite the process, (b) who is responsible for the procurement and (c) will the procurement be effected in the current financial year; if so, (i) at what stage is the procurement and (ii) what is the (aa) perceived time frame for the new generator to become operational and (bb) total cost of the generator, including installation?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has not been approached to procure a new generator for Home Affairs in Graaff-Reinet as this is a Leased Building and the generator is the responsibility of the Landlord. The Department (DPWI) was however approached on the 26th April 2023 to repair the existing generator through the current Landlord.
(a) The Landlord was subsequently approached to expedite the repairs to the current generator set but procurement of a new generator has not been addressed – alternatively to provide sustainable sources of energy.
(b) The Landlord is responsible for the procurement.
(c) The procurement of the new generator set is dependent on the maintainability of the existing generator set and if not repairable, a subsequent approval of funding by the Landlord’s Board of Trustees. The Landlord indicated a meeting of the Board of Trustees is being convened during the week of 29 May 2023, subsequent to which financial decisions regarding operational expenditure/capital expenditure will be provided, due to the huge magnitude of repairs required to the generator set.
(i) N/A.
(ii) N/A.
(aa) Should the landlord fail to repair/replace the generator set within a reasonable timeframe, DPWI will invoke the lease contract conditions, put the landlord in mora and take appropriate actions to repair/replace the generator. The outcome of the meeting between the landlord and his board of directors will guide the way forward and allow DPWI to communicate clear timeframes as to when the generator will be repaired/ replaced.
(bb) Total cost for the repairs/replacement of the generator set will be for the account of the landlord.