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PROFILE: This is my story - Pete Mullen

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Please give us a brief summary on your career to date

I have been in Construction for 53 years and have experience in both contracting and EPCM.
I started as a Trainee Surveyor and advanced over the years to a Director on Murray and Roberts Civils.
I have looked after Major Projects throughout Africa as well as South Africa.

Give us details of a project that made an impact in your career.

While working on an Irrigation Project in Madibira, Tanzania we missed closing a 17km river diversion by just 900m when the rains caught us. The project stood, under water for 5 months. I visited the site monthly just to keep up the staff's morale. It ended with a successful standing time claim in excess of 4 Million rand. 

Madibira Tanzania

What was your position and duties on this project?

Contracts Director.

Why does this this project stand out to you?

It was a very difficult Project with very difficult Consultants from the UK. We also had over 1 Million pounds Stirling withheld on quantities discrepancies in the final certificate. It took a year of meetings and lawyer involvement, but I eventually got the money Paid.

What were the important lessons you learnt from this project?

I learnt that in trusting my staff and the records they had kept we came through all the problems.

Also read: This is my story - Andisiwe Nombewu

What were the mistakes you experienced on this project?

Misreading of the weather was the big one, we miscalculated our productions on the river diversion as we thought we had more time before the rains. Tanzania has 2 rainy seasons.

How did you overcome your mistakes/regrets?

The winning of our standing time and quantity claims.

What has been the most satisfying thing for you personally about this project?

To finish the Project successfully. We were the 3rd Contractor to attempt this particular Project  two other international contractors had abandoned it. It was situated in a big Malaria area.

This industry is said to be one of the toughest industries, how did you manage to stay in for so long?

Because I love it. As a Professional Construction Manager and Construction Mentor I get a lot of job satisfaction.

In your opinion what are the biggest challenges facing the industry currently and how can they be overcome?

The lack of work and corruption. The work must come in order to lift the economy out of this recession. Seek out and report any suspected wrongdoing by anyone.


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