Question NW803 to the Minister of Public Works
04 April 2018 - NW803
Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP to ask the Minister of Public Works
(1) What has been the cost (a) to dismantle and re-erect the scaffolding in front of the Marks Building in the parliamentary precinct before and after the State of the Nation Address of 2018 and (b) related to the suspension of maintenance work; (2) from what date to what date has normal maintenance work been suspended due to the specified dismantling and re-erection of the scaffolding; (3) were the costs associated with the removal and re-erection of the scaffolding for the account of the contractor or for the State’s account; (4) (a) who took the decision that the scaffolding needed to be removed for the duration of the State of the Nation address and (b) how can this be justified in light of the need to show South Africans that government departments are committed to budgetary savings?
Reply:
(1) (a) The cost for dismantling and re-erecting the scaffolding at the Marks Building, Parliamentary Precinct is R175 341.00.
(b) No maintenance work was suspended due to the dismantling of the scaffolding.
(2) No maintenance work was suspended as stated in 1(b) above.
(3) The State is responsible for the cost of the dismantling and re-erection of the scaffolding.
(4) (a) A joint decision was made where representatives of Parliament, Protection Services Unit of Parliament, South African Police Service and the Department of Public Works were in attendance and it was resolved that the scaffolding be removed by 02 February 2018 for security, safety and aesthetics purposes.
(b) The safety and security aspects of the scaffolding became of paramount importance when the decision was taken, as this area was identified as high-risk.
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