09 Jul 2013

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology (MIST) is coordinating a process to bring together various specialised policies so as to generate a national maintenance policy at a higher level which covers the entire spectrum of infrastructure.

This was said by MIST minister, Mr Johnnie Swartz when answering a question from Shoshong MP, Mr Phillip Makgalemele in Parliament.

Mr Swartz said that the policy statement at national level would guide the setting of performance standards related to maintenance and facilities management in general as well as make some commitment on funding maintenance services.

Mr Swartz explained that departments such as the roads department had already formulated a policy for roads maintenance while his ministry was working with the Public Enterprises Evaluation and Privatisation Agency (PEEPA) towards formulating a policy that would guide maintenance of government buildings in Botswana.

“MIST also sees the need for the enactment of government immovable asset register and facilities management act which will define mandatory requirements for proper maintenance of immovable assets and their related maintenance including the commitment for funding maintenance activities,” he said.

Mr Makgalemele had asked the minister about progress made in the implementation of a motion adopted in parliament calling for the development of infrastructure maintenance policy for Botswana.

He asked the minister to make a pronouncement if he would ever implement the resolution. ENDS