19 Sep 2016

-The Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo says the construction of Phitshane Molopo-Mabule road will start in November this year.
Mr Mabeo was commenting during his tour of Output and Performance–Based Road Contracts (OPRC) package 2 of a road project from Pitsane to Loporung recently.
He said OPRC was a new initiative aimed at reducing cost overruns in the construction of roads in the country, adding that the initiative would be adopted if the outcomes are positive.
He said the tender had been awarded to Elsamex contractors and it would run for 10 years with the anticipation to maintain, refurbish and build new roads.
He said the OPRC came in two packages whereby package one of the project runs from Mmankgodi junction through Kanye to Jwaneng which covers about 336 km.
The other package covers about 160km from Rakhuna through Good Hope to Mabule, adding that the project commenced in 2014 and was expected to be completed in 2024.
However, the Thamaga-Kumakwane legislator said there were some challnges such as shortage of water, failure to locate some field and home owners to pave way for the construction of the road.
On the issue of water shortage, he said he had advised the contractors to sort it out with local boreholes owners to keep the work going.
He also said compensation consultations were still ongoing with the residents whose property needs to be removed to pave way for the developments.
He urged the Sub-district leadership to collaborate with other relevant stakeholders to speed up the consultation processes for the construction work to kick start.
The minister said government was vigilant through intensive monitoring of all the stakeholders to ensure that contractors delivered quality work.
He said contractors would be liable for their shoddy work through appropriate penalties to prevent government money from being wasted.
In her welcome remarks, deputy district commissioner for Good-Hope-sub-district, Ms Goitseone Tabane said the community was eager for the coming road project because it will bring the much needed employment opportunities.
Ms Tabane complained that there was lack of communication from contractors as they failed to update the Sub- district leadership about the cause of the delays.
She called on all the relevant stakeholders in the Sub -district to join hands and map the way forward to speed up the development in the district.
Chief roads engineer, Mr Botshelo Maedza said there was progress in both packages but they were also faced with challenges such as delayed Environmental Impact Assessment report for burrow pits. ENDS