05 Jul 2017

Commencement of the Platjan Border Bridge was delayed because the Ministry of Transport and Communications could not award the tender of the project after several attempts due to issues of compliance.

Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Vincent Seretse said due to failure to award the tender by the ministry, the Presidential Directive Cab 9 (B) 2016 instructed that SPEDU should take over implementation of the project.

Mr Seretse said SPEDU commenced with the tendering process, and that it was completed in August 2016 with the preferred bidder quoting P110 million. 

He said given the fact that the initial approved funds were around P86 million, it left a shortfall of around P24 million.

Minister Seretse said a project addendum requesting for additional funds was submitted to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development which was approved on May 2017. 

He said the contractor was currently mobilising on site to start construction.Kgosi Letso Malema of Bobirwa region had asked the minister to explain the reasons that delayed the construction of the Platjan Border Bridge. ENDS