07 Apr 2014

 

Ngamiland district commissioner, Ms Bernadette Malala has praised Norwegian partners, consultants and other stakeholders for their invaluable input into making the Botswana Roads Maintenance Manual a reality. 

Ms Malala said the manual, which is a national reference document for use by the public and private sector in the road construction industry, would ensure a cost-effective fund utilisation on road maintenance.

It was produced under the institutional cooperation agreement between the roads department and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.

It has set standards and specifications of how Botswana’s Public Highway Network of approximately 20 000km should be maintained; basically on how good workmanship should equate to value for money.

Ms Malala said during a one-day workshop to sensitise citizen contractors about the manual that the document would assist contractors to provide quality projects as they would abide by the manual.

She also indicated that the manual would assist in the reduction of corrupt practices, noting that some of the officers used to issue certificates of completion of projects to some contractors who did a shabby job. 

She said roads had been of poor standards yet contractors were paid full amount.

“Government depends on officers to ensure proper supervision and monitoring of projects. The manual will now be a link between officers and contractors and no payment to contractors if they failed to deliver up to standards,” she said.

The DC said since the country attained independence, it focused on development of infrastructure, adding that back then, it appears there was no road maintenance strategy.

She said the manual was answering a call by the government to maintain infrastructure. The district commissioner observed that Botswana was a land locked country and road and transport played a vital role in the economy. Ms Malala said it was important to ensure that “our roads are of high standards as they transport goods and services.”

The manual is subdivided into four parts namely: overview and maintenance management, maintenance standards, maintenance operational standards and maintenance standards specifications. 

Meanwhile participants were informed that the department of roads has decentralised its services to the regions in order to improve service delivery. They were also informed about some of the maintenance projects earmarked for 2013/14 financial year roads in the northwest region. 

The projects include road networks from Mohembo to Gudingwa, Tsau to Kareng, Samedupe to Somelo, Shorobe to Mababe and Qurube to Nxaunxau. Ends