23 Feb 2017

Ministry of Transport and Communications, through Department of Roads is in the process of procuring a new contractor to finish the remaining works of Francistown/Matsiloje road.

Answering a question in Parliament on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Communications recently, Minister Nonofo Molefhi said they expect to have the new contractor on site by end of May, subject to finalisation of the termination of the initial contract.

Minister Molefhi said he was aware of the state of the Francistown-Matsiloje road, particularly near the main entrance of the Donga Botswana Defence Force camp. He said a contractor, Bowmag Construction was awarded a contract for resealing and road marking of Francistown-Matsiloje road on November 23, 2015 at a cost of P29 800 781.95.

“The works entailed repairs and paving of some sections along the BDF Donga, Tati Nickel turn-off and Mupane turn-off.

The initial work near BDF Donga was found defective and due to the contractor’s slow progress, this portion of the road has not been paved as intended,” he said, adding the work was to be completed on November 22, 2016.

At the time of termination, he said, the contractor had been paid a total of P6 255 480.68 while the 5.3 kilometres of reseal had been done out of a total of 55 kilometres.

“Due to poor or non-performance of the contractor even after several reprimands on his slow progress, the project was finally terminated on December 19, 2016.

A letter of notice to claim liquidated damages for delayed completion was written to the contractor on November 28, 2016,” he said. Minister Molefhi said at the time of termination, the contractor was to pay a total of P212 279.54.

“This amount has not yet been paid because the contractor is still disputing the termination,” he added. MP for Francistown East, Mr Buti Billy had asked the minister if he was aware of the dilapidated state of a portion of the Francistown-Matsiloje road, particularly near the main entrance of the Donga BDF camp.

MP Billy further asked if a contractor to repair the said road had been awarded and if so, state the name of the contractor, the value of the contract and when the work would be completed.