03 Mar 2016

The construction of Shakawe Service Centre project would not go on as certain procurement measures were not followed.

Addressing Okavango councillors who had boycotted North West full council meeting which started on Monday, North West Council Chairman Mr Reaoboka Mbulawa said recommendations and guidance from specialists indicated that the project could not be carried out by recurrent budget.

He said he does not belief in projects which are to be carried out and left half done because correct measures were not properly followed. Mr Mbulawa informed councilors that it was not possible for the project to be carried out since they had not followed correct financial instructions to award the tender and use the funds which were to be returned. He said he was not even aware that already the tender had been awarded.

In concurrence, the north west district Council Secretary Mr Mozondick Moswete whom some council members accused for delaying developments in the sub district, informed councilors that there is nobody in the civil service who have the power to discontinue government developments.

However he advised that procedures have to be followed quoting a Setswana saying “Sedibeng go iwa ka tselana”.

Senior Assistant council secretary for Okavango Mr Masaoko Kataroh, told the councilors that the matter was administrative and stated that the award of the tender was revoked due to failure of abiding with council procedures.

Even though the councilors denied that they were advised concerning the Shakawe service centre, they also claimed to be shocked that the award was revoked.

They admitted that the council procedures for procurement had to be followed and agreed to attend the on-going full council meeting in Maun which they boycotted on Tuesday. Ends