Electrical, control and instrumentation engineers and constructors Wade Walker, a wholly owned subsidiary of Murray & Roberts, is in the execution phase of a multi-million US dollar electrical and instrumentation project in the eastern region of Ghana. The scope of Wade Walker’s contract, awarded on a lump sum basis, includes all electrical and instrumentation work required and has been divided into two portions: early works and construction power, scheduled for completion in November 2012, and the process plant, planned for completion by April 2013.

“The electrical and instrumentation activities include all works associated with on mine overhead power distribution lines, cabling, cable terminations, cable racking supports, instrumentation, electrical equipment, electrical field devices, lighting and small power, earthing and lightning protection, fire detection and suppression trenching and provision of testing and commissioning support,” Gordon Sneddon, projects director for Wade Walker, says. “This is an extensive project involving quantities such as 235 km of cabling, 75 km of small power and lighting cabling, a 19 km overhead power line, 24 km of cable racking supports, as well as 320 electrical field devices. There are also 3 200 lighting, small power and earthing installations.”

Since the Wade Walker team arrived on site in January 2012, there have been zero Lost Time Injuries and this outstanding safety performance is attributed to a sustained and intense focus on safe behaviours, underpinned by working closely with the client and the Murray & Roberts safety philosophy, Stop.Think Act 24/7. This approach emphasises the importance of taking action to correct unsafe conditions and behaviour, as well as recognising positive behaviour, while “24/7” highlights the need to be safety-aware at all times, both at work and after hours.

“The excellent safety record being achieved on this project is an indicator of good housekeeping in general, including good behaviours and good morale among our workforce, predominantly drawn from local communities” Tim Wakefield, Wade Walker managing director, comments. “The nature of what we do allows us to operate with small teams under high supervision and this also facilitates excellent communication and training until local recruits buy in to our standards and values”

Wade Walker has a robust management team on-site, including a full time project manager, human resources, industrial relations, quality control, planning and quantity surveying personnel permanently deployed at the mine site. Wherever possible, artisan and semi-skilled local labour is being recruited and trained to carry out cable rack installations and cable terminations.

Wade Walker first established a presence in Ghana in 2004 when it set up a stage post in Accra and today it is establishing with the greater Murray & Roberts group a fully-fledged office supporting all of the Murray & Roberts companies serving the West African market, to be manned by Ghanaian residents with minimal South African expat staffing. “We understand the diversity of the African business environments and have a proven track record of successful contracts outside of South Africa,” Wakefield comments. “There are a number of growth markets in Ghana and the surrounding areas including mining, infrastructure, oil and gas projects  and our office in the country is ideally placed as a regional hub to service our activities in West Africa.

“The decision to establish a permanent Wade Walker presence in Ghana reflects our desire to move away from the previous ‘fly in, fly out’ approach to projects outside of South Africa. Instead we wish to invest in these countries, put down roots and make a sustainable legacy contribution which will contribute to uplifting local communities. Skills development and training is a big part of this model. There are also many small contracting businesses in these areas and we intend to help them link up with each other and formalise their business structures to become effective sub-contractors.”

Murray & Roberts EAP
Over the last 12 months Wade Walker has integrated its traditional business into the Murray & Roberts EAP (Engineering Africa Platform) giving the company grater capability and ready access to a wider range of services and offerings which will allow Wade Walker to participate more fully in projects. The companies in this business platform are primarily focused on the group’s core competence in industrial construction engineering which, if properly applied in the early design and feasibility phases of projects, offers significant value.

“Many customers regard us only as electrical and instrumentation people, but working within this platform, we’re now able to offer a more holistic offering, particularly together with structural, mechanical and piping disciplines,” says Wakefield. “The primary benefits to our clients include that we are now participating in markets in which we were unable to operate before where integrated mechanical and electrical construction is required under one “umbrella”. In addition, the client’s project risk in having multiple contractors is reduced by having one less interface. This is particularly important when working in logistically remote places where good communication and planning between the different contractor disciplines is essential. “There are also benefits in terms of site establishment and continuity of project construction management, specifically on the safety and commercial side. One less contractor makes things easier and affords us greater project management control and ultimately less client risk.”