The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) this week hosted 300 construction industry, government and industry association experts at two workshop sessions to discuss the agency’s draft transformation policy and long-term strategy.
“These sessions are the first of 30 that will take place across the country in the next eight weeks. We want to hear the views of those impacted by both our 2030 strategy and our transformation policy,” said Sanral CEO Skhumbuzo Macozoma.
The intention of the documents is not to destroy the construction industry or Sanral, he stressed.
“We must show value to all South Africans. This is what roads are meant to do – they connect people to people, to places and most importantly to opportunities. These opportunities can no longer be limited to the few,” he commented.
Those that are unable to attend sessions are able to access the Horizon2030 strategy and transformation policy on Sanral’s website.
Further, there are several ways to give input on these, including through the website, through email submissions or postal delivery.
“All comments will be considered. These documents are not final. Revised drafts will be submitted to our board for approval and from there to the Minister of Transport who will then table these before Cabinet,” said Macozoma.
Engineering News Online reported last month that some of the proposals of the draft transformation policy include that Sanral only does business with companies that are at least 51% black-owned and with a minimum Level 2 black empowerment rating, when rolling out capital projects.
Also, a maximum of 15 tenders a year will be issued to a single company and companies will be required to make use of Sanral-approved contractors.
Concessions to manage and operate toll roads will only be awarded to companies with 51% black ownership. To reduce monopolies, Sanral will limit the number of contracts awarded to established and dominant industry players.
There will also be a focus on the “equitable allocation” of projects across Construction Industry Development Board grades, with grades 1 to 4 (emerging and/or smaller companies) to be included.
Emphasis will also be placed on creating space for black business in materials and equipment supply chains.