Disclosure of e-tolling subcontractors a step in the right direction

Today, a reply to a DA parliamentary question has finally revealed the names of 27 out of the supposed 33 subcontractors involved with the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) consortium - the core contractor appointed by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) to roll out the e-toll project in Gauteng (see below). 

This is a step in the right direction.

In the interest of transparency around this project, the DA has been calling for these names to be made public for some time now. SANRAL and ETC initially refused to identify the sub-contractors involved in the project. 

The DA will scrutinise these names and look closely for any political connections that may have influenced the appointment of these subcontractors.

In addition, I will be asking follow-up questions in Parliament to ascertain the value of each sub-contract. I will also be questioning why only 27 names have been revealed as it has been reported that 33 subcontractors were involved in this project. 

Making information publicly available promotes transparency and good governance. In future, it would be useful for the cloak of secrecy around contractors for massive infrastructure projects to be lifted from the outset. We also encourage government to follow suit in terms of other contracts it has so far been silent on; for example the Gautrain contract. 

The DA will continue to push for transparency and openness in government in order to ensure that contracts are awarded on merit and the capacity to deliver, and not influenced by political patronage. 

Statement issued by Ian Ollis MP, DA Shadow Minister of Transport, September 14 2012

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 1859
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 14 SEPTEMBER 2012

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 27 JULY 2012 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 20 - 2012)

Mr I M Ollis  (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

1. When will the list of the 33 South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) subcontractors involved with the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) consortium be made public;

2 Whether all the names and details of the 33 subcontractors will be revealed in full; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?  NW2251E

THE WRITTEN REPLY

The Minister of Transport:

1. The list is hereby attached.

Note, the main contract for the project is between SANRAL and the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC). SANRAL has one contractor to whom it looks to for performance under this contract, namely Electronic Toll Collection (ETC).

The contract for the design, build and operation of the tolling system, applicable to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, was concluded by the SANRAL with the company, ETC Proprietary Limited (ETC). This was pursuant to a competitive tender process undertaken by SANRAL.  In terms of the Contract, ETC is obliged to design, build and operate the tolling system and has a contractual relationship with SANRAL in this regard.

Although ETC may have subcontracted part of the work, it is solely ETC that is accountable to SANRAL and SANRAL has no contractual or other relationship with the subcontractors appointed by ETC, in terms of the main contract.  This is usual practice in contracts of this nature.  SANRAL has one contractor to whom it looks to for performance under this Contract and has no contract with the subcontractors. However, in the spirit of transparency, ETC has acceded to the request to provide the list of its subcontractors.

2. The names and details are provided in the Table below.

Issued by Parliament, September 16 2012

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