29 Jul 2014

Damage to the bridge at Manxotai in the Nata/ Gweta Constituency cannot be blamed on poor workmanship, inadequate design or structural failure.The assistant minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ms Botlogile Tshireletso explained this in Parliament on July 28.

Instead, she pointed that the bridge was handed over on completion of the project and at handover there we no defects to the bridge.

“The damage to the road shoulders and stone pitching at the bridge embankments which are now evident are as a result of the extremely heavy rainfall that was received in the river catchment area in 2013,” she said.

She said neither the consultant nor the contractor could be charged for this. The bridge at Manxotai was designed as part of the Nata-Sepako road project by Multi-Tech Consultant who also supervised the construction works done by China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic & Technical Cooperation.

Ms Tshireletso said her ministry, through the Central District Council, was in the process of sourcing funds to do remedial works on all affected sections of the road including damaged stone pitching at the bridge embankments.

Nata/ Gweta MP, Mr Rayner Makosha had asked the assistant minister to brief Parliament on the newly constructed bridge, which he alleged was now showing signs of defects. ENDS