Coega Development Corporation (Coega) provides Infrastructure Media Release Agency (IA) services and takes great pride in its role as the leading public entity responsible for multi-billion rand infrastructure development and maintenance projects in South Africa. Masu.
Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, Head of Marketing, Branding and Marketing at Coega, said: “Coega has a commitment to develop the 9,003 hectare Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ), one of Africa’s largest, located in Goukebela, Nelson Mandela Bay City. We have 24 years of expertise in infrastructure development and maintenance, including: communication.
In order to effectively carry out its services across the country, Coega has offices in the Eastern Cape (Gqeberha, East London and Mthatha). We provide infrastructure project management services, development and maintenance, and business consulting services in KwaZulu-Natal (Durban); Gauteng (Pretoria); and Western Cape (Cape Town).
Coega, a state-owned organization, is registered as a Schedule 3D public body under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) (Act 1 of 1999) (as amended) and has an obligation, inter alia, to provide IA services. This will enable it to more effectively respond to the provisions of Articles 41(1)(h) and 238 of the South African Constitution, which require cooperation between state agencies and allow state agencies to delegate their functions. It will be. Other national agencies on a government agency basis.
Under this mandate, Coega's appointment as the trusted IA of choice for various infrastructure projects includes, among others, the R4.2-billion Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone adjacent to Mamelodi township. R1bn Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane. The R600m Anton Lembede Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology in La Mercy, north of Durban. and the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) fencing program.
Coega has a wide range of other public sector customers, including government departments (national, state, and local levels) and state-owned enterprises.
Therefore, in 2020, Coega was recognized as one of the IAs designated for specific major projects in the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP).
Specializing in TNPA, Coega began assisting organizations with the implementation of infrastructure projects as early as 2008, and projects implemented included: (i) Culverts – Road culverts to accommodate stormwater runoff from Zone 1 of Coega SEZ. (ii) Medium voltage substation and cables (2010 / R13m) to supply power to Ngurah Port and other port tenants. (iii) Civil works in zones 7 and 10 of the Coega Special Economic Zone – urban infrastructure on Coega land to service his TNPA tank farm east of the Coega River (2013/R80m).
Mr. Coega's appointment as IA for the TNPA Fencing Program, which has been widely reported in the media recently, was in compliance with the applicable legislative process required of all state agencies.
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This included, among other things, the execution of a Service Delivery Agreement (SDA) between Coega and TNPA in August 2021, resulting in the finalization of Coega's appointment as IA representing TNPA.
This is in line with the provisions of Articles 41(1)(h) and 238 of the Constitution and the requirements of the Framework for Infrastructure Delivery and Procurement Management (FIDPM) issued under National Treasury Order No. 3. is also supported. Section 5.4(7)(a)(iv) of 2019/2020 requires state bodies to enter into agreements to provide representation services to each other.
The SDA provides that Coega will provide support to TNPA in the provision of project/program IA services for the implementation of various infrastructure projects and related services as identified by TNPA from time to time.
Since signing the SDA with TNPA, Coega has started implementing several projects including the installation of high-security fences at four ports across the country: Richards Bay, Durban, Ngurah and Saldanha ports.
One of the roles of the IA is to undertake, on behalf of the entity providing IA services, the procurement process to secure the service providers necessary for the implementation of the project and to manage such contracts until anticipated. It is important to note that. Deliverables are realized.
The same approach was taken in the case of engagement with TNPA, as reflected in the SDA between the two public bodies.
Coega's supply chain management (SCM) processes are compliant with the PFMA of 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999) (as amended) and the Treasury Regulations to eliminate conflicts of interest, bias, corruption, and ensure impartiality. It is underlined by the principles of good governance that it promotes. moral act.
In preparation for the implementation of TNPA's high security fence project, Coega worked through the planning process with TNPA's technical team involved in the project development phase, ensuring, among other things, that the scope of the project was properly assessed by TNPA's technical team. did. Our experienced built environment experts work with clients to fit their budget, time frame, and quality.
In order to be satisfied in terms of scope and feasibility of the project, Coega carried out a site visit to the port and verified the scope of the project provided by TNPA, including the required length of fence according to the work instructions .
Requirements for a 2.7 meter high secure fence are: Port of Richards Bay, 31.233 km. (ii) Durban Port, 22km. (iii) Ngurah Port, 9.833km. (iv) Port of Saldanha, 15.8 km.
At the time of its appointment by TNPA, Coega already had a duly approved fencing framework contract (a database of fencing service providers listing bid prices for various items used in fencing projects).
Accordingly, the three contractors appointed for TNPA's high security fencing project are subject to the Coega Fencing Framework Agreement (Framework Panel of Fencing Service Providers), based on the approved scope and budget agreed to by TNPA. was procured.
The Fencing Framework Agreement was compiled by Coega following an open tender process in which bidders submitted rates for the various scope elements advertised.
For each project awarded to Coega, a quantitative assessment (Balance and Specific Objectives (BBBEE)) was carried out in which the project allocation was made according to the criteria of the Fencing Framework Agreement.
The estimated budget provided by TNPA's technical team for these four projects was approximately R320 million.
To ensure value for money and savings, detailed negotiations were undertaken with each bidder to achieve total cost savings.
After these strong efforts, the total negotiated cost for the four ports was approximately R309 million, as reflected in the signed Work Order.
We show that the R90 million budget for the high security fencing project and related ancillary services reported in the media is inaccurate, malicious and misleading as it is inadequate for a project of this size and scope. That is important.
From the outset, the TNPA approved a work order to be allocated to the project for R309 million.
Mr Kuga was never informed of the reported R90-million budget.
In terms of implementation, projects are currently at various stages of completion, with work on the Port of Saldanha substantially complete, and the Ports of Durban and Richards Bay at 80% and 65% completion respectively.
The Ngurah Port project was delayed due to environmental issues, which have now been resolved.
Coega expects that the delivered work will meet the required quality standards.
In conclusion, as a public entity, Coega is subject to a rigorous annual audit process by the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) in respect of its operations in the development and operation of the Coega SEZ and the services provided by Coega. As the IA of choice, we are ideal for government agencies and other clients in the public and private sectors.
Additionally, Coega has received clean audit reports for four consecutive financial years (2019/20 to 2022/23), demonstrating that all processes comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
In fact, the TNPA fencing program was included as part of an audit by AGSA last year, which found nothing.
Coega continues to provide professional IA services to TNPA and other clients, poised to help them realize their strategic and business objectives.
Coega is ISO certified and has received over 20 prestigious national and international awards.
Additionally, Coega is recognized by government and private sector clients, built environment industry professionals, and the communities it serves as a beacon of hope for industrial development, operational leadership, and socio-economic development, with accountability. It is recognized as. Dr. Vilakazi concludes that ethical behavior and integrity in line with the organization's values are important.