Note to Editors: Please find attached Cllr.-Samier-Singh-English-Soundbite
• ANC, IFP, EFF and ACC vote to defer the Vuk’uphile Contractor Development Programme, while the DA opposed the delay.
• Emerging contractors and unemployed residents stand to lose access to employment.
• DA demands accountability for the delay and assurances that no funding, implementation milestones or contractor opportunities will be lost.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini strongly condemns the decision taken at yesterday’s full Council meeting to defer an important Memorandum of Agreement between the City and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Infrastructure relating to the Vuk’uphile Contractor Development Programme.
The deferral was supported by the ANC, IFP, EFF and ACC, while the DA voted against the decision.
The Vuk’uphile Contractor Development Programme is designed to give emerging contractors an opportunity to develop their businesses, acquire skills, gain practical experience and participate meaningfully in the construction economy.
These are emerging businesses, entrepreneurs, workers and families whose livelihoods depend on opportunities such as this.
For someone who has no job, no contract and is struggling to keep a small business alive, a delay by government is another lost opportunity to put food on the table.
At a time when unemployment is high and small and emerging contractors are struggling to secure work and grow their businesses; every unnecessary delay matters.
The DA therefore made it clear that, if Council was going to defer the item, the responsible parties needed to consider the impact this could have on the programme’s implementation timelines.
The DA will not support a culture where important development programmes are continually delayed through political decisions.
We will continue to monitor this matter closely and demand clarity on the revised timeline following the deferral. We will also seek assurances that no funding, implementation milestones or contractor development opportunities will be lost because of this decision.