Bay contractors support HDA's new demand database

"At the public report back meeting held at Lillian Ngoyi Sports Centre, KwaZakhele, contractors expressed hope that the new demand database will change their fortunes for the better by having access to more work opportunities.

"The HDA has been charged by Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu with the responsibility of being a housing Implementing Agent on behalf of the three spheres of government in the Nelson Mandela Bay over the next three years."

HDA Programme Manager in the Eastern Cape, Nicholas Tsewu, told the meeting that the agency received over 1 500 expression of interest bids of which 431 were eligible to be allocated work immediately, whilst 741 needed to be trained through the SMME support programme run by the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC).

“I must emphasise that contractors will receive letters of appointment only when there is an approved budget and projects,” said Tsewu.

NHBRC’s Training Manager, Mninawa Ngcobo, told the contractors that those who have been selected for training will undergo training 1 April for a period of 12 months and in learnership for three years. They will be in classroom and on site, where they will be allocated five houses to build under the guidance of the regulator.

Nelson Mandela Bay Deputy Executive Mayor, Bicks Ndoni, thanked the Department of Human Settlements for its transparency when doing business in the Metro.

“For us to have peace and security in the Metro, we need departments like these. We are here as a municipality to give support to the department of human settlements. All government departments must follow suite. We want to make this is part of our culture in this municipality,” said Ndoni.

Image: Nelson Mandela Bay Deputy Executive Mayor, Bicks Ndoni, thanked the Department of Human Settlements for its transparency when doing business in the Metro.