The African Business Journal: OJ Construction OJ Construction ================================================================================ admin on 17 July, 2010 03:04:00 With more than 15 years experience in the construction industry, partners Johan Oosthulzen and Ockie Jacobus Oosthulzen have done it. This pair has managed construction projects of every size across residential, commercial and industrial sectors and now their company today is fiercely committed to delivering the vital effective management skills to guide any construction project through to a successful conclusion. The company in question is OJ Construction, a Namibia-based diverse construction company home to a 300-person-strong workforce, which, between 2006 and 2010, has skilfully masterminded and completed all manner of construction projects for all sorts of clients. When Ockie and Johan began OJ, their first motive was to “replace confrontation and adversarial relationships with a spirit of joint endeavour and accomplishment between planner, designer and constructor, therefore serving the interests of the project owner.” In short, OJ is the company which holds all of the other project contracted components together and ensures the smoothest running and eventual completion of the job at hand. OJ Construction: portfolio snapshot At a glance, OJ’s project range is surely something to be proud of. In its 2010 listings, barely halfway through the year, the company has already seen through the A and A to the Central Veterinary clinic project which totalled around N$16 million, and this month the Hamlet of Avis project weighing in at approximately N$20 million is also due to reach conclusion. Coupled together, these examples alone demonstrate the range of projects undertaken by OJ and the potentially costly worth of these. Of course, in order to understand quite how this company is capable of meeting such varied and sometimes challenging client demands, it all comes down to experience. Combined, OJ’s Ockie and Johan offer: - Planning and scheduling of construction projects using CSS - The best in effective job site project management skills - Sub-contractor and/or co-ordination and management for any project - Job site level quality control throughout the duration of the project —the team is committed to seeing every task through to the finish - The reporting of construction project progress, where appropriate ensuring the greatest of detail using electronic photograph documentation - The reporting of construction project progress using tracking and analysis, both of which are used in comparison with a project’s original program schedules - Effectively utilising documentation of variation orders to prevent any hidden delays and expenses from taking place - Establishing effective means of correspondence at the job site level - Managing Delay Claims presentation and additionally the prevention and resolution of this - Administration and procedural management (all encompassing) of any construction project However in addition to a stalwart track record of excellent project execution and delivery with a wealthy list of services, OJ is currently getting very excited about another involvement; the Millennium Challenge. In brief, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is an innovative and independent U.S. foreign aid agency that is helping lead the fight against global poverty. In July 2008, the MCC signed a five-year, $304.5 million Compact with the Government of Namibia aimed at accelerating economic growth and reducing poverty. As a result, it is hailed as a forward-thinking and exciting company to partner with—an ideal group to work alongside OJ as the construction company continues to build Namibia. The Namibian construction industry: OJ’s home Namibia, as a nation that relies greatly on mining exports, undoubtedly felt the strain under the global financial crisis. However it is reported that the economy is growing more optimistically due to factors such as heightened uranium production; a more attractive diamond price; the FIFA World Cup taking place in South Africa close by; and, importantly, greater investment in infrastructure and construction. As the government leans more towards investing in infrastructure, Namibia’s construction industry strengthens. In turn, with OJ’s proven local knowledge and experience, reputation for excellence and real commitment to project success, growth looks likely to find its way to the company. Put simply, OJ continues to highlight its primary objective of offering effective management and guiding any construction project through to completion. The company’s track record speaks for itself, as does its clear and intelligent moves to partner with international corporations today. As Namibia grows and builds its economy, OJ will continue to grow and build Namibia.