Infrastructure projects could save SA’s ailing construction sector

Eun Massey believes infrastructure projects could save SA’s ailing construction sector, however he believes for this to be realised goverment is first required enable policy certainty and commit to resolving critical issues. Is this a goverment only issue? What is the role of the construction industry players including Construction Professionals?

Infrastructure projects could save SA’s ailing construction sector

Several projects across the energy, water and transport infrastructure sectors could create improved conditions and provide much-needed work.

The caveat is that policy certainty and commitment to resolving critical issues are required from the government. In addition, diminished contractor capacity may mean more work for those businesses that have managed to weather the storm.

Energy opportunities

While the Ramaphosa administration has made positive progress in achieving policy certainty, the problems at Eskom and unreliable power supply are significant barriers to economic growth. Mineral resources and energy minister Gwede Mantashe gave the green light to mining houses to generate their own electricity at the Mining Indaba this month. With several private power stations at advanced design stage, if these projects get the go-ahead, there could be a significant amount of work coming to market.

Mining houses are clearly considering alternative energy options. Anglo American announced plans to construct at least two solar projects, for instance, at which the electricity generated will be used to produce hydrogen to power its mining fleet at some mines.

Renewable energy independent power producer (IPP) procurement round four projects are at various stages of completion and industry is waiting anxiously for round five to be finalised. With the obvious upside to improve order books, these projects have been fraught with disputes, which, in my view, is largely attributable to the inflexible contracting model adopted by the financiers, with very little recourse for fair compensation and extension of time flowing from variations and unforeseen conditions.

Water projects

The National Water and Sanitation Master Plan 2019 aims to tackle ageing infrastructure and introduce greater water reserves for the country. With projects such as the Mokolo-Crocodile water augmentation project (which is currently subject to an appeal), Lesotho Highlands phase 2, various desalination plants and the Vaal River rehabilitation project all at various stages of development and implementation, additional work could come on stream during the latter part of the year.

These projects are urgent and necessary for the country’s water security. As such, they should receive priority.

Additional opportunities

During the latter half of 2019, the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) and Airports Company SA (Acsa) issued several inquiries for large-scale projects, including the N2/N3 road upgrades, the construction of remote apron stands at OR Tambo International Airport, and the construction of a new runway and domestic terminal at Cape Town International Airport.

There are also several building projects that may come on stream this year. In the Western Cape, these include Harbour Arch, Zero2one, Ratanga Junction and The Rubik.

Challenges

Several Sanral projects have been plagued by interruptions caused by business forums and local communities. In response, Sanral’s new contracts contain an amended force majeure clause that requires contractors to comply with five conditions to be protected from the resultant delays, including launching an urgent application in the high court. Work on the Msikaba Bridge continues this year, and the project team seems to have managed its dealings with the local community without rushing off to court. I assume that Sanral is preparing an inquiry for a replacement contractor to construct the Mtentu Bridge.

Employer trends

In the current construction landscape, bonds and guarantees are being regularly drawn down by employers. We are also seeing continued growth in the number of disputes and a steady rise in construction adjudication.

It is anticipated that guarantors are likely to start introducing a far more robust assessment of risks before issuing bonds and guarantees. Certain contractors may not be able to secure these securities or be subjected to significantly increased premiums. This does not bode well for employers, some of which will have to reassess how they manage contracts if they wish to receive tenders from contractors.

Adjudication, particularly in sub-contract agreements, will continue to rise. We now have established case law available that deals with commonly encountered issues in the enforcement of adjudicator’s decisions. In short, the courts have supported adjudication, giving contractors and sub-contractors access to a quicker and more cost-effective form of dispute resolution.

This opinion piece was first published here