17 Jan 2017

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Communications has urged the company which is engaged in the construction of Okavango Mohembo River Bridge to deliver it within contract time and budget.

Speaking at the signing of Contract Agreement on January 16 between the ministry and the construction company, ITENERA and CIMOLAI Joint venture from Italy, Mr Elias Magosi said it is important that the work is delivered with the 36 agreed months.

He said the iconic P1.45 billion bridge, which is the second largest project after Kazungula Bridge to be taken by the ministry in the northwest of the country, will not only easy movement of people between east and west of Mohembo but will assist in the delivery of services by government to the community.

He therefore said it would be prudent that even the consultant, CPP Botswana (Pty) Limited, make sure that it carry its job diligently as it would be held accountable should it not supervise the contractor accordingly. Mr Magosi noted that the government is concerned over project overruns, which has now become a norm with major government projects.

He however promised to assist the contractor wherever possible especially with the facilitation of immigration paperwork for foreign experts who will be engaged  in the construction.  

The bridge is of socio-economic importance to the Delta and Chobe areas, as well as to the rest of the country. It will among other benefits, make services available to all by reducing crossing time, make it feasible for expansion of future road network, integrate tourist attraction sites and activities (such as lake Ngami, Tsodilo, Aha Hills, etc).  

Meanwhile representative of ITENERA and CIMOLAI Joint Venture Mr Alex De Col promised that the two Italian companies which have a long history of quality work on bridge construction both in Italy and Europe will strive to deliver quality work within time. He said  although there would be challenges along the way, they hope to complete the project within time and budget moreso that they bring a lot of experience.

Likewise Mr De Col said the bridge is not only for the benefit of Botswana but for the rest of the world as it would easy movement of people in the area and region alike. He also said they will engage local construction companies in many spheres of work.

The Bridge was designed at a cost of P11 million while the review cost P4.5 million. No local company submitted bids for the tender while the contracted company was among the nine which tendered and bided.

On a separate issue, permanent secretary Mr Magosi briefed the media about the status of roads in the country, noting that they are still save to use and assured the public and members of the business community that they ensure that they react to any eventuality which may put them at risk.

He said plans were underway to repair the Moshupa Bridge, though it will take some time, as well as some culverts which caved in during the recent rains. In addition the Francistown/Nata road section near Mathangwane will also be attended. BOPA