29 May 2016

Government will be putting an eye on contractors engaged under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) to ensure that they performed on time and within budget.

And those failing to deliver will not be considered for future projects, says the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ms Botlogile Tshireletso during the launch of ESP projects in the South East district on Friday.

Ms Tshireletso who was launching projects that will be done under ESP in her ministry said performing contractors were likely to be considered for future projects.

“I urge the council to intensify supervision so that the projects are completed within time, budget and specifications,” she added.

Further, Ms Tshireletso said the South East district will be implementing backlog eradication programme across the district under ESP.

The scope of the projects include six blocks of toilets with nine cubicles each, three blocks with two classrooms and twelve teachers houses in Ramotswa, Tlokweng, Otse and Mogobane.

The assistant minister said already nine contractors have benefited about P19.63 million and most of them were mobilising to sites and ready to start.

Furthermore, she said provision of primary school education infrastructure remained one of the core mandate of the ministry.

“Therefore, the government took a deliberate decision to undertake the primary school backlog eradication program which includes addressing classrooms, staff houses and toilets in primary schools,” she said.

Under the project phase one, she said the council implemented three packages covering Ketshwerebothata, Siga and Mokgosi Primary Schools at a tune of P15.6 million, which comprised construction of 21 teachers’ houses and six blocks of nine cubicle toilets.

Still on the backlog eradication program, she said phase two which comprisedof one block of two classrooms for Batlokwa National School, two by nine cubicle toilet blocks for Mafitlhakgosi Primary and three teacher’s houses for the same schools.

On behalf of the contractors, Mr Onnetse Koboto promised delivery of the projects within time and budget.

Mr Koboto further said local communities will be given first priority when hiring and he encouraged them to come forward.

South East District chairperson Mr Phenyo Segokgo called for the inclusion of people living with disabilities to benefit from ESP.

He said there were schools for the disabled in the district which were challenged in may facades.

In addition, he called for the upgrading of the Ramotswa-Boatle road, adding that the completion of the Ngotwane Bridge will increase traffic passing through the road. Ends