Unik rejects claims of incompetence 

…defends track record 

CONSTRUCTION giant, Unik Construction Engineering Lesotho, has strongly rejected allegations of incompetence, poor workmanship and unfair business practices. 

The company this week issued a detailed response, insisting that claims it had failed to deliver previous Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) projects and routinely underpriced tenders to seek later cost escalations were “unfair and damaging”. 

The response follows a recent Lesotho Times article questioning Unik’s suitability for a M500 million tender to build replacement housing for communities displaced by the Polihali Dam project. 

The article highlighted criticism of Unik’s performance on the Katse Village Upgrade and Polihali Commercial Centre projects and questioned the decision to recommend the company for the lucrative Polihali resettlement contract. 

However, Unik said the allegations did not reflect its broader performance record in Lesotho. 

“Unik rejects any suggestion that it is incompetent, unreliable, incapable of performing construction works, or that it has a practice of under-pricing projects and later relying on claims to recover costs,” the company said in a statement. 

“These allegations are not accepted and do not reflect Unik’s broader project record in Lesotho.” 

The company said it had successfully executed substantial infrastructure projects in the country, including roads, buildings, water infrastructure and other civil engineering works under formal construction contracts. 

It argued that issues such as project variations, revised designs, technical queries, completion procedures and snagging processes are normal features of major construction projects and should not be interpreted as evidence of poor performance. 

“These matters are common in the construction industry and should not be presented as proof of poor workmanship, poor planning or inability to perform,” Unik said. 

“A construction project should be assessed against the full factual and contractual record, not isolated issues or selected allegations.” 

Regarding the Katse Village Upgrade and Polihali Commercial Centre projects, the company maintained that the circumstances surrounding the contracts were more complex than had been portrayed. 

According to Unik, project records contain formal instructions, revised drawings, changes in scope and completion processes that provide a fuller picture of the challenges encountered. 

“It is therefore not correct to present these projects as a simple case of failure or incompetence by Unik,” the company said. 

The contractor also disputed assertions that another company had been brought in to complete work it had failed to finish. 

“It should also be clarified that certain works later undertaken by a direct contractor related to additional work, changed requirements and/or works outside Unik’s original contractual scope. 

“The involvement of a direct contractor should therefore not be interpreted as proof that Unik failed to complete its original contractual obligations.” 

On allegations of poor workmanship, Unik said no binding finding had ever been made declaring the company incompetent or incapable of carrying out construction works. 

“Snagging and close-out items are normal features of construction projects and are dealt with through the applicable completion and defects processes,” the company said. 

The company also rejected claims that it treated local subcontractors and suppliers unfairly. 

“Unik engages local subcontractors, suppliers and service providers where appropriate and remains committed to supporting local employment, skills development and construction capacity in Lesotho. 

“Any commercial matter, where it exists, must be assessed on its own facts, including the applicable agreement, measured work, delivery records, quality requirements, certification and payment entitlement.” 

To support its position, Unik showed the Lesotho Times team the project reference letters from previous clients. 

One reference rated its performance on a major road rehabilitation project as “Good”, confirming that the works were completed within the contractual period and complied with health, safety, environmental and social requirements. 

A second reference stated that a major water infrastructure project had reached 99.5 percent substantial completion and that Unik had consistently delivered satisfactory performance while demonstrating the capacity to manage projects of that scale. 

“These references provide important factual context. They confirm that Unik has successfully executed significant infrastructure works in Lesotho and remains capable of undertaking major construction projects,” the company said. 

The company reiterated that it remained committed to quality construction, local employment, skills development, fair commercial dealings and the successful delivery of infrastructure projects in Lesotho. 

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