POWER CONSTRUCTION (ROADS) COMPLETES THE FIRST TWO PHASES OF CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE AT EAST LONDON IDZ
Published in IMIESA in September 2003
East London, August 2003: Power Construction (Roads) is ahead of schedule and has completed the first two phases of civil infrastructure at the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ).
The East London Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) is part of an initiative endorsed by the South African Department of Trade and Industry to encourage economic growth, and to attract investment by offering world class infrastructure and services. The East London IDZ, located on the city's West Bank, adjacent to the existing port and airport, has over 1,500 ha available for new industry. Forty two projects have been identified such as motor component manufacturing, optical fibre manufacturing, metal press stamping mill, aluminium and magnesium high pressure moulding, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, wood products and textiles, and of these, 12 pre-feasibility studies have already been completed.
Power Construction won the tender and was awarded the R80 million contract for construction of external infrastructure to support the development of the ELIDZ. It includes the building of major roads and other works, construction of approximately 6 km of arterial roads, and the supply of bulk electricity by April 2004, for which Power has built an ESKOM platform of 7 700 square metres. The project furthermore involves storm water systems, construction of a bridge, street lighting and landscaping for major access and arterial roads leading into and out of the IDZ.
Thirty percent of the Power Construction Roads’ contract has been subcontracted to local service providers and ABE’s (Affirmative Business Enterprises) including an electrical sub-contracting project to the value of R6 million.
Site work commenced on the 26th of May 2003 with the clearing of 24 hectares of bush, followed by removing 20 000 cubic metres of topsoil, excavating 600 cubic metres of rock for culverts, and diverting the flow of the Mpuvukazi stream.
Building roads in demanding situations and within limited time constraints is nothing new to Power Construction (Roads). The company has proven itself in both major and minor road construction projects, rehabilitation of roads, premix/asphalting, general surfacing (seals), airport taxiways, runways, apron slabs and parking areas.
Power’s Site Agent Martin Naude says that progress has been excellent, despite particularly challenging environmental and safety standards: “There are sensitive areas on-site, and some protected plants needed to be relocated before we could commence.”
The Power Group won the prestigious PMR Diamond Environmental Care Award earlier this year in recognition of the efforts the company has made to promote environmental care on its construction sites. The award is based on the company’s overall environmental management policy and plan, the procedures that have been put in place to ensure that construction work has the minimum effect on the natural environment, and that all site personnel are inducted and adhere to the environmental policy.
Considering the rate at which Power is establishing the road system and other works, the ELIDZ project should be completed well within its projected 14-month span. It is estimated that 38 000 jobs will be created during the first ten years of the IDZ project. Power Construction (Roads) will be a major contributor to job creation in the region, injecting close to R13,5 million into the Buffalo City economy as the contract includes the use of local enterprises, suppliers and manufacturers.
More about the Power Group
Power Construction Roads is a division of the Cape-based Power Group of Companies, a dynamic conglomerate providing a comprehensive range of civil engineering, blacktop paving, manufacturing and township development services.
