Both the contractors for the upgrading of the Kuyasa Sports Ground and the construction of 50 BNG houses at Ouboks have advertised the posts of Community Liaison Officers (CLOs). The contractors are Nkhesebo Solutions (for the Kuyasa Sports Ground), and Neoking Trading (for the 50 BNG houses).
According to the advertisements, which have been posted on the municipal Facebook page, the primary roles of these CLOs are to ensure that ‘the local community derives maximum benefit from this construction project by providing relevant labour (skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled) for the project’.
Key performance areas
According to the advertisements, the CLOs will need to:
- Foster communication between key stakeholders on the project.
- Identify and facilitate the availability of local resources to meet the main contractors’ needs.
- Compile and continuously update datases of local resources.
- Keep the contractors and the municipality aware of community affairs and dynamics.
- Assist the contractor’s supervisory staff with managing workers and beneficiaries.
- Report monthly to the contractor, municipality, COGHSTA, and community structure with respect to project progress.
Requirements:
- The candidate must have matric certificates or equivalent qualification.
- Must be able to communicate, read and write in English and local languages.
- Must be reliable and accountable.
- Must know the area well.
- Must be a resident of Colesberg.
- Must be currently unemployed.
- Should be prepared to work under difficult conditions.
- Should have skills in conflict resolution.
- Should understand construction and be able to communicate with contractors and subcontractors.
Applicants were required to submit their CVs to the contractors by 17 November.
These advertisements appear to confirm that a significant number of local people will be employed on these projects. They also seem to show that the municipality and the contractors are at pains to avoid conflicts over the allocation of the jobs on offer, as happened recently in the case of the road upgrading project.
Introduction of contractors
In the meantime, a meeting was held on 10 November to introduce the contractors for the two upcoming projects to members of the Colesberg community. According to a statement by the Umsobomvu Municipality, the meeting was addressed by the Speaker of the Umsobomvu Local Council, CLR Nandipha Stafa. She was accompanied by ward councillors, the municipal manager, municipal officials, and the District Director of the COGHSTA, Mr Mjandana. Community members were encouraged to apply for the positions of CLOs.
FEATURED IMAGE: Members of the audience at the community meeting on 10 November, from the municipal Facebook page.