Development

MBABANE – The Millennium Projects Unit, responsible for the ICC/FISH, has a staff complement of only four officials.

This was revealed yesterday during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) sitting, where Director of Millennium Projects Patrick Mnisi, shared that he worked with three other people, including two engineers and one economist.

This revelation came about after PAC member for Somntongo, MP Sandile Nxumalo, said he had a query about the operation of the Millennium Projects Unit, stating that its competency was questionable based on its current track record.

“How many officials in the Millennium Project Unit are actually qualified for the job?” questioned the MP.

He lamented over what he identified as a lack of cost-saving by the unit based on how the International Convention Centre (ICC) and Five Star Hotel (FISH) had escalated costs over the years.

Nxumalo decried the constant engagement of consultants for the construction of the ICC/FISH project by the Unit, stating that it showed a lack of expertise in the department.

“You cannot have a government entity that heavily relies on consultants as they are very expensive. Did the Ministry of Public Service refuse to approve posts for the unit to hire capable individuals? Because we will bleed this country dry if we continue this way,” proclaimed Nxumalo.

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Lawmakers shocked by project costs

MBABANE – Public Accounts Committee (PAC) members decried the escalation of bulk earthworks costs on the ICC/FISH project from E80 million to E567 million.

According to PAC members, this was uncalled for because the amount did not even result in a structure but was simply based on groundwork. “How is it possible that groundwork fees can be escalated to half a billion?” asked Matsanjeni South MP Sabelo Ndlangamandla.

This follows that the AG, in his Compliance Audit Report, reported that the bulk earthworks at the ICC/FISH increased significantly in cost, from a contract tender amount of E80 million to E567 million.

“I mentioned that I was not provided with variation orders that justify and authenticate the huge increase in expenditure for the bulk earthworks.

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PAC questions Taiwan firm’s role in ICC/FISH project

MBABANE – Public Accounts Committee (PAC) members questioned the role of Taiwan’s CECI Engineering Consultants in the ICC/FISH project.

The committee members wondered how the company was engaged and why it works independent of a local company, yet previously engaged outside companies had to get into joint ventures with local companies in order to operate on the local project.

CECI is a Republic of China (Taiwan) company, which is currently working as the project manager in replacement of the Aurecon/Manyatsi-Nhleko JV.

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‘Company engaged for E16m services with no experience’

MBABANE – The auditor general (AG) reported that a consultant was irregularly procured for E16.3 million in project management services for the ICC/FISH.

The Auditor General (AG), Timothy Matsebula, reported that a joint venture (JV) consultant (Manyatsi-Nhleko/Aurecon) was irregularly procured for project management services for the ICC/FISH at a sum of E16.3 million, as shown by a tender sanction dated April 4, 2017.

Bicon/Aurecon JV were initially appointed at a contract sum of E42.8 million, which was increased by E7.8 million to E50.6 million, as shown by a tender sanction dated November 15, 2015. This brought the total cost of project management services to E67 million.

“A further scrutiny of the Manyatsi-Nhleko quantity surveyor’s profiles indicated that they have never rendered project managers’ services in the past; instead, they are a registered firm of quantity surveyors. In view of the above, there were no genuine reasons or justifications for hand-picking and appointing Manyatsi-Nhleko Quantity Surveyors as a joint venture partner for project managers,” reported the AG, who was represented by Assistant AG Samkelo Motsa yesterday during the PAC sitting.

“This contravenes Section 38 of the Procurement Act of 2011, which states that all procurement shall be conducted in a manner which promotes economy, efficiency, transparency, accountability, fairness, competition and value for money,” stated the assistant AG.

In response, the Controlling Officer Thabsile Mlangeni said the initial joint venture Bicon/Aurecon JV was dismantled due to issues with lack of skills from their personnel.

“Skills were lacking and the skill was necessary such that the more experienced partner Aurecon remained and was joined by a new Swati partner,” stated Mlangeni during the PAC sitting yesterday.

*Full article available in our publication.

Vice Chairperson of the PAC, Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane. (Pic: Khulile Thwala)