11 Jul 2016

Government will ensure compliance to the Citizen Economic Empowerment Policy and the Economic Diversification Drive in the awarding of tenders.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said when delivering a key note address at the ground breaking ceremony of the Gaborone District ESP projects to mark the official commencement of the projects which are to be implemented by Gaborone City Council.

“It is government’s priority to ensure that all the projects undertaken under the various sectors are done by Batswana companies and experts in required services through approved procurement processes which have been amended to turnaround times,” he said.

Mr Tsogwane said he had confidence in the contractors awarded the tenders and that they would bear in mind that both government and communities who are the ultimate beneficiaries of these projects have huge expectation that should be met if not exceeded.

Mr Tsogwane expressed that where there are no citizens capacitated to undertake any project, government will ensure that any identified external service provider subcontracts a citizen company and imparts skills on them.

“The following projects are to commence on July 11, 2016; erection, completion and maintenance of classroom blocks and ablution for Ithuteng, Mophane and Masa primary schools; erection, completion and maintenance of the proposed customary types II at plot 10489, extension 38, Broadhurst”, he said.

He said he was pleased to mention that the works will be carried out by citizen companies and was convinced that the recipients or users of the classrooms and kgotla will be happy with the product upon completion.

He implored the contractors to ensure strict compliance to the agreed timelines and quality specifications.

“May I also urge the Gaborone City Council project implementation plan team to ensure and inspect every stage of these projects to ensure that specifications are followed and that timelines are adhered to,” he said.

He cautioned the end users and beneficiaries of the facilities to take note that they have a responsibility to ensure proper usage of the facilities so that they could reap the benefit for a bit longer.

“This is a welcome development that is essential for social cohesion which forms a very important component of my ministry’s mandate,” he said. ENDS