22 Mar 2018

Constituency Development Funds were disbursed to Gaborone City Council in August 2017.

The delay in implementation was caused by the fact that some stakeholders did not agree on projects during consultation period.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso told Parliament that the delays in finalisation of the projects resulted in late approval of the Project Memorandum for the release of funds in time.

In response to a parliamentary question on Wednesday, she pointed out that large numbers of tenders including P60 million worth of road maintenance within Gaborone floated at the same time with the P50 million constituency projects resulting in a much longer time to evaluate the tenders.

Ms Botlogile said the tenders were advertised in September 2017 and awarded in January.

The awards were signed on February 23 following lapse of the cooling off period.

She further elaborated that since the funds were from the development budget and already with the city council, the balance of the funds would continue to be used during the financial year 2018/2019.

MP for Gaborone North, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had asked the minister to state what was delaying the implementation of Constituency Funds in Gaborone and to state when the funds were given to Gaborone City Council.

Mr Nkaigwa also wanted to know when the tenders were advertised and when contractors would be awarded and the delay in implementation of projects envisaged for Gaborone constituencies.

He also asked what would happen to the funds if there was no implementation by the end of the financial year 2017/2018. ENDS