20 Feb 2018

Due to budgetary constraints, construction of the 23 nurse staff houses in the Kgalagadi North, which was planned for during NDP 10, was delayed.

This was said by the Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele in response to a question from MP for Takatokwane, Mr Ngaka Ngaka.

Mr Makgalemele said funding was availed in 2015/16 and tender for construction of houses was floated in January 2016 with other packages and site hand over delayed due to capacity constraints.

He stated that contractors had been handed over to sites except for Kang houses, which would be re-tendered for, adding that additional team from DBES was appointed to augment implementation capacity.

Further, Mr Makgalemele said Letlhakeng Polyclinic was planned for during NDP 10 but was deferred due to financial constraints.

He however noted that the project was included under the ESP in 2016/17.

He said its funds were approved by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development in March 2017.

However, he noted that the project had now been included in the 2018/19 financial year and the Ministerial Tender Committee approved recommendation for award on February 15.

Mr Makgalemele told the House that Ditshegwane clinic was planned for construction to a clinic without maternity wing under ESP while implementation was delayed due to capacity constraints.

In Kgalagadi North, construction of six staff houses in Hukuntsi started in February 1 and are due to be completed in five months while 10 houses were handed to contractors on the week of February 5-9, 2018, he said.

Furthermore, the assistant minister said in Kang, seven houses were tendered for, evaluated and re-recommended for re-tender.

Mr Ngaka had asked the minister what caused delays in the construction of the long-planned 23 nurse houses in Kgalagadi North, Letlhakeng Polyclinic, Ditshegwane Clinic.

The assistant minister was also to give progress update for all the projects including envisaged start and completion dates. Ends