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OPINION: Project Owners should engage the 'construction mafia'

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Contracts Manager Siphiwe Mazibuko believes the responsibility to bring the 'construction  mafia' on board should NOT be of the construction sector it should be the responsibility of project owners.

The construction mafia has employed a strategy to intimidate and stop work on construction sites, a strategy that has proved successful for them but this strategy does not take into consideration the implications of time and cost on construction projects.


Delivering construction projects on time and on budget is a mandate that Construction Professionals strive to fulfill on projects under their control . When external forces i.e. construction mafia interfere with their ability to deliver on this mandate it could lead to discouragement. A discouraged Construction Professional losses interest in their job and that has other negative implications for the sector.

Training emerging contractor's on contractual matters will help in bringing them aligning them with the interests of Construction Professionals and when emerging contractor's are aligned with Construction Professionals there is little room to maneuver for those whose motives are only to make a quick buck and this will eventually lead to minimal destructive activities on construction sites , but this should not be the responsibility of the construction sector it should be the responsibility taken on by project owners

Built Environment Professionals employed by project owners of these projects, should play a leading role on this by insisting that the locals and business forums get involved in project discussions before they go out to tender. These entities should be brought on board when projects are packaged long before the tender stage.

ALSO READ: The root cause for the 'construction mafia'

Competition in this industry is important and it relies on 2 things: a good bid and the ability to demonstrate competency to deliver the project on schedule and on budget. So if the construction sector takes on the role of bringing the construction mafia on board it compromises on the competitiveness of the industry.
Siphiwe Mazibuko a Senior Contracts Manager with over 20 years experience.

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Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2022 at 8:06 AM

    That is the most idiotic opinion I have ever read, rewarding lawlessness is never the answer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thami MthethwaSeptember 14, 2022 at 8:13 AM

      I think you are missing the point of the article which is if anybody should do anything about this lawlessness it should be the Project Owners

      Delete
  2. AnonymousOctober 19, 2022 at 11:00 AM

    I don't think that will solve the problem as these people's intention is to get quick money and they are not interested to earn it constructively. I still think that politicians are behind the mafia. Solution lies on voting masses to have the rulling party voted out. Problem solved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thami MthethwaOctober 19, 2022 at 3:43 PM

      That is true if we mobilise the masses to vote the current government out it will help. But do we expect Construction Professionals to do that? I think we need to look at solutions that are within our reach and pushing for Project Owners to take responsibility for the disruptions caused by the Construction Mafia is something within reach for Construction Professionals.

      Delete

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