W Cape's R500m dam project
David Masango
11 June 2004
A consortium of South African construction companies has won the contract to build a dam that will increase the yield of the Western Cape's water system by 18 percent.
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has announced that the Berg River Project Joint Venture will be responsible for the construction of the R500-million Berg River Dam on the Berg River near Franschoek in the Western Cape.
The consortium comprises Grinaker-LTA, Group 5, WBHO and empowerment group Western Cape Empowerment Contractors WCEC.
The department said the WCEC would give smaller contractors from the area an opportunity to gain experience from and share in the benefits of the project. The construction of the dam is expected to create at least 600 jobs.
The department is also evaluating tenders for the appointment of a social consultant, whose brief will be to implement an extensive sustainable development programme, an initiative that will be linked to
the government's skills development plans.
According to the department, it is expected that mobilisation will be underway within the next week and that the construction will start during this month.
"The first water is due to be delivered to Cape Town and the downstream water users by the end of 2007", the department said.
Source: BuaNews
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