Question NW2116 to the Minister of Basic Education
17 October 2016 - NW2116
Ntlangwini, Ms EN to ask the Minister of Basic Education
In light of the reported underspending of R423.4 million on the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) in the Eastern Cape, (a) who are the underperforming implementing agencies, (b) what amount was allocated to the affected contracts, (c) what was the term of the contract and (d) what steps has she taken to ensure adequate leadership and expenditure management of ASIDI projects in the province?
Reply:
(a) Appointed Implementing Agents (IA) who underperformed in the Eastern Cape are the Independent Development Trust (IDT) and the Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR).
(b) The amounts allocated to the affected contracts are as follows:
|
IDT EC |
36 Inappropriate schools projects |
*R 617m |
|
IDT EC |
Batch1 of water and sanitation projects |
R 239m |
|
IDT EC |
Batch 2 of water and sanitation projects |
*R 299m |
|
CSIR |
152 water, 63 sanitation projects |
*R 192m |
*pre-tender estimates
(c) The term of the contract was as follows:
|
IDT EC |
36 Inappropriate schools projects |
2 years |
|
IDT EC |
Batch 1 of water and sanitation projects |
1 year |
|
IDT EC |
Batch 2 of water and sanitation projects |
1 year |
|
CSIR |
152 water, 63 sanitation projects |
1 year |
(d) The contract with CSIR was terminated by mutual agreement and the scope of work for IDT was reduced by taking away the projects that were initially allocated to them under Batch 2 water and sanitation. The IDT was instructed to provide qualified and competent project personnel which would be assessed and approved by the Department of Basic Education (DBE)). Monitoring and oversight by the DBE is done through the appointed ASIDI Programme Support Unit, with regular site visits and steering committee meetings where progress is assessed.