19 Mar 2013

 

Several MPs have thrown their weight behind the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology’s budget proposal of over P806 million, by commending the ministry for the good work it was doing. 

First to contribute to the debate on the budget proposal was Gaborone North MP and also Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Keletso Rakhudu, who praised the ministry for working tirelessly to curb fraud and corrupt practices in the construction industry which, he said, had a negative impact on government coffers.

Mr Rakhudu said the stiff measures put in place would pay dividends as they had instilled fear in contractors who continuously deliver sub-standard projects as they would be taken to task over their actions. 

He expressed concern about the safety of occupants and users of projects exhibiting poor workmanship; saying the move to take stringent measures against contractors who default on their contractual agreements would help bring the problem under control.

For his part, Francistown West MP, Mr Tshelang Masisi called on government to blacklist contractors who failed to deliver as expected, a move which, he noted,  would help address the situation where some contractors repetitively deliver shoddily-done projects to government. 

Mr Masisi commended the Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Mr Johnnie Swartz for his stern control over governments infrastructure delivery system which, he said, would save government a lot of money that would otherwise have been misappropriated.

He further commended the minister for stopping the companies which were tasked with the construction of the Francistown Stadium from continuing with their work due to their failure to perform to expectations. However, he appealed to the minister to find means of ensuring that the work is finally completed.

Though in support of the budget proposal, Kgatleng East MP, Mr Isaac Mabiletsa cautioned government against awarding one company many projects; saying in the event that it collapsed, the entire infrastructure delivery system would be affected. Specially-elected MP Dr Gloria Somolekae has applauded the Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Mr Swartz Johnnie for the steps taken to curb corruption.

Dr Somolekae, who is also the Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, said the minister’s exemplary leadership would instill in all stakeholders a sense of responsibility as well as promote the need to do things in a transparent manner.

“Saving funds through curbing misuse will benefit government and the nation at large as the money that would have been lost will be used for the implementation of other crucial development projects,” she stated.

Dr Somolekae however expressed concern that in his presentation, the minister had not mentioned how he would ensure that government facilities would be made accessible to the disabled.

She noted that new buildings should at planning stage have provision for ease of access by the disabled; further urging government to also adapt the old buildings to the needs of the disabled so that they too could access services without unnecessary limitations.

Making his contribution, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and South East North MP, Mr Olebile Gaborone called for professionalism in officers responsible for the implementation of government projects; underscoring the need for officers to carry out their duties ethically to safeguard government’s as well as the nation’s interests. “Where there is lack of professionalism, disasters can happen which can claim people’s lives,” he observed.

Mr Gaborone further called upon government to blacklist companies which thrive on fraud.

Supporting the proposal Palapye MP, Mr Moiseraele Goya hailed the ministry for establishing such structures as the Claims Assessment Committee which, he said, would greatly help in ensuring that government does not lose money by paying out fraudulent claims.

Mr Goya also urged the ministry to consider establishing a Stakeholders Committee aimed at gathering opinions and views and making use of the expertise of different stakeholders’ throughout the project implementation process. 

On the issue of blacklisting non-compliant contractors, he appealed to government to go a step further and blacklist such companies’ directors and managers to prevent them from tendering for government projects through other companies thereby continuing to benefit from public funds.

Earlier, Minister Swartz had presented a budget proposal  of over P806 million for the 2013/2014 financial year; of which over P510 million would be for the recurrent budget while over P295 million would cover the ministry’s development budget. ENDS