03 Jun 2015

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Communication, Ms Goitsemang Morekisi, says Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is scheduled to be completed end of this month.

Speaking before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on June 2, Ms Morekisi said the airport was now set for completion following the engagement of the second contractor. The airport was originally set to be complete ahead of the 2010 World Cup that was hosted by South Africa.

Ms Morekisi explained that the air bridge can only be used by big passenger jets adding the airport management had embarked on an exercise of attracting major international airlines that would be able to utilise the facility.

On Air Botswana, she said the national airline was faced with financial difficulties, but refused to say it was bankrupt. 
She said four of the seven jets belonging to Air Botswana have been grounded due to maintenance issues.

Ms Morekisi said some pilots therefore were unable to fly because of the grounding of its planes. She said one plane has been leased on the profitable Gaborone – Johannesburg route and further said all allegations on bad corporate practices were being investigated by the Department of Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC).

The airline was eyed for privatisation but this had been put on hold due to its financial status.

Ms Morekisi was responding to questions from PAC members, Tati East MP, Mr Guma Moyo and Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse who wanted to know the status of the national airline and allegations of corruption and maladministration.

Meanwhile, the PS has said Gaborone infrastructural development was funded by World Bank who threatened to recover the P2 million from government as there was no progress.

She said this was because of the contractual obligations which required 12 months for tendering processes. 
Ms Morekisi also said the construction of Kazungula bridge has started with the contractor on site. She said the component includes the railway which might be built later as feasibility studies have not been concluded.

She said the idea was to make it easier for a construction of the railway without necessarily demolishing the bridge.

In addition, the permanent secretary said lack of funding and skilled personnel has made it difficult for her ministry and local authorities to maintain roads. She further said procurement and maintenance of government fleet had been decentralised and ministries have established their own transport units.

However, she added, there were challenges, as in the first year ministries had not budgeted for procurement and maintenance of fleet. Ends