The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) has responded to the cancellation of recent tenders by the South African National Road Agency Pty Ltd (SANRAL). Professor Marianne Vanderschuren, President of SAICE, states that SAICE has reached out to the Board of SANRAL to provide it with an opportunity to discuss its concerns, as well as provide recommendations to assist in overcoming the current impasse.
SAICE acknowledges the SANRAL Board’s desire for transparency in the supply chain process. “We understand the objectives behind the board’s resolutions at SANRAL, and applaud the organisation’s intentions towards the transformation of the industry and maximising the participation of local communities in SANRAL projects.”
However, Prof. Vanderschuren explains: “Our members work for public sector structures including SANRAL; consulting engineers; contractors; in the supplier network, as well as academia. The impact that the cancellation of these tenders is going to have on the civil engineering industry, the economy and the South African population is monumental. We are committed to working with SANRAL to find mutually beneficial solutions.”
