Construction World March 2020

MARKETPLACE

NEWMANAGING DIRECTOR, AFRICA

time, he played a key role in project oversight relating to project management, risk, commercial and contractual issues and client relationships and, ultimately, safe and successful project delivery. He is a professional engineer with 28 years’ varied civil engineering and PDQDJHPHQW H[SHULHQFH DQG KDV IXOͤOOHG project director and manager roles on a diverse range of transportation and water-related projects. His experience spans South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, Guinea, Liberia, South Sudan, St Helena, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Green has a BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Cape Town, and an 06F LQ 7UDͦF DQG 7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ IURP WKH University of Natal, where he received a joint

scholarship from the South African Road Federation and the University of Natal. He is registered as a Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa, and as a Professional Construction Project Manager with the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions. Hamed Zaghw, Chief Executive, Middle East and Africa, AECOM, comments: “Darrin’s appointment is an important step forward for our African business. The leadership and experience he brings are second to none. In his time at AECOM, he has already shown himself to be a great role model with a deep understanding of the EXVLQHVV +H KDV D VWURQJ DͦOLDWLRQ ZLWK our people, and an extensive network of contacts that will be invaluable as we drive growth in our key markets.” ƒ

I nfrastructure delivery company AECOM has announced that Darrin Green has been promoted to Managing Director, Africa, a responsibility he will undertake in addition to his previous role as Managing Director for Civil Infrastructure, Africa. In his new FDSDFLW\ *UHHQ ZLOO UHVSRQVLEOH IRU WKH ͤUP̵V Africa-wide strategy, business development, health and safety, and operations. Green joined AECOM three years ago DV 0DQDJLQJ 'LUHFWRU IRU WKH ͤUP̵V &LYLO Infrastructure business in Africa. During this

Non-payment culture is forcing CONTRACTORS OUT OF BUSINESS

G overnment’s failure to pay building contractors on time or even not at all is one of the major causes of job losses in the construction industry, declares Databuild CEO Morag Evans. “Against the backdrop of an ailing economy, many companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), are being forced to close their doors as a result.” National Treasury regulations stipulate that contractors should be paid no later than 30 days after invoicing, yet a report issued by the Construction Industry Development Board states that 60% of payments are made after the 30-day deadline. Evans says this is unacceptable.

in accordance with government’s requirements. Incorrect paperwork and failure to comply with procedure will most certainly impede the payment process and invoices cannot be paid if the requisite procedures around FHUWLͤFDWLRQV KDYH QRW been followed.” Evans says Databuild has partnered with specialists in FRQVWUXFWLRQ FDVK ͥRZ SURFHVVHV to offer contractors hands-on support in understanding the implications of government’s contract terms and conditions. ̸2XU ZRUNVKRSV DUH VSHFLͤFDOO\ geared to equipping contractors

Databuild CEO, Morag Evans.

OHDG WR ͤQDQFLDO UXLQ DGGLQJ IXUWKHU LPSHWXV to the nation’s burgeoning unemployment rate.” Evans applauds the recent progress made by infrastructure and public works minister Patricia de Lille in addressing this crisis, but says more needs to be done. “Government has a responsibility to adhere to its own regulations and needs WR XUJHQWO\ SXW FRUUHFW DQG HͦFLHQW systems in place so that its suppliers can be paid accurately and timeously. “In the meantime, contractors and suppliers need to ensure that the documentation they submit is accurate and

with the strategies they need to maintain ͤUPHU FRQWURO RQ WKH DFFRXQW PDQDJHPHQW process, including government payments,”

she says. “This will go a long way towards minimising late payments among contractors.”

“Most contractors and suppliers in the construction industry are entrepreneurs, operating as an SMME. Government cannot claim to support entrepreneurship, but then fail to pay the very business owners who play a crucial role in stimulating economic growth and job creation. “This creates the impression that government simply doesn’t care about the repercussions. Contractors are left with VHYHUH FDVK ͥRZ SUREOHPV ZKLFK XOWLPDWHO\

She calls on government to communicate effectively with contractors to resolve any issues that may arise after invoices have been submitted. “SMMEs, including building contractors, are the lifeblood of our nation’s economy. Government owes it to them to pay on time for work done.” ƒ

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD MARCH 2020