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Cape Town - There are ways to overcome the difficulties and challenges of infrastructure development in Africa, according to Evert Lategan, managing director of project management company Integrated Solutions, which specialises in the refurbishment of hotels.
One of the latest projects Integrated Solutions completed is the four star Mammy Yoko Hotel project in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
“It’s great that South African companies are given opportunities to work in Africa. Working in many of the developing countries has its own set of obstacles and challenges, ranging from difficulties with procurement and sourcing the right materials to completing construction on time against tight deadlines," said Lategan.
The Mammy Yoko Hotel, re-branded as the Mammy Yoko Radisson Blu is a 172-key multi-storey establishment, which was abandoned during Sierra Leone's civil war.
As potential main contractors had little or no experience in hotel refurbishment, construction management issues were overcome by employing a multitude of various artisans, who ensured that the construction works were implemented.
"With increased supervision and quality control measures in place, excellent standards of quality and workmanship were achieved. Integrated Solutions provided the correct training, supervision and guidance throughout the duration of the project," said Lategan.
“Even language barriers were overcome by site staff learning the basics of the local dialect and making use of local translators when necessary."
The introduction of incentives improved the pace of work of local employees and the lack of local technical know-how was overcome by introducing expatriate consultants.
Building partnerships
“In order to create as many local jobs as possible, local general workers were employed, also allowing for skills transfer,” said Lategan.
Critical to the project's success was forging the right relationships amongst all the major local suppliers. Such partnerships proved crucial in securing the right materials and labour that could meet the stringent project standards.
Additional stock required was offset by site management making use of all redundant materials on site and remaking this to create the necessary items.
For the duration of the project, Integrated Solutions adopted regulations in line with South African and British standards to ensure that installation would comply with all safety and minimum requirements.
