27 Jun 2018

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has approved over P90 million to implement the 2018/19 primary school backlog rradication under Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) III.

The projects would be implemented at Komana, Legotlhwane, Toteng, Maun, Etsha 1 and 13, Samuchima, Shakawe, Kajaja and Mohembo.

Updating councillors about development projects in the district, the North West District Council chairperson, Mr Duncan Enga said tenders for ESP III were received and opened on June 5 and evaluation was ongoing.

He reported that it was anticipated that awarding would be done before end of July this year.

Councillors also learnt that maintenance project at Gowa Junior Secondary School, still under ESP, was commissioned on May 23, 2018 by the Department of Technical Services head office in Gaborone.

The commissioning was for two trades being; the building works at a contract sum of over P10 million with a 26 calendar weeks’ duration and electrical works to the tune of over P700 000 within 43 days.

Mr Enga said the project site was already handed to the contractor end of May and works are expected to be completed by July 25 and December 11 this year, respectively.

He also pointed out that the council had completed three of the planned six projects under ESP II.

He said the completed projects include construction of one No. 1x2 classroom block and 1 No.1x9 toilet block at Botswelelo Primary School, construction of two classroom blocks and one No.1x9 toilet block and 10 No. LA2 staff houses for Letsholathebe Primary School.

He said all the projects have been handed over and were under defects liability period, adding that the remaining three projects were nearing completion as they were at the finishing stages.

However, Mr Enga informed councillors that implementation of the Constituency Community Projects (CCP) for 2017/18 financial year were still behind schedule as most were at the early stage of commencement, while some were not yet started.

He said the main delays were due to shortage of staff, transport and constant change of project scopes by the communities.

Despite the setbacks, he made an assurance that measures were being put in place to fast track completion of the projects. Furthermore, the council chairman implored council officials to work tirelessly to ensure the projects were completed to improve the livelihoods of the communities.

On the other hand, he mentioned that procurement for 2018/19 CCP has commenced and it is at pre-contract stage.

Councillors also learnt that design invitation to tender (ITT) for Nata-Maun and Sehithwa-Mohembo roads had been submitted for vetting.

Initially the project was considered as Nokaneng-Mohembo road but had to be changed and was subsequently submitted to the Ministerial Tender Committee (MTC) in May as Sehithwa-Mohembo road.

Mr Enga said the ITTs were however, returned with comments and would be re-submitted to MTC by end of this month (June). ENDS