21 Nov 2018

A new contractor for the P500 million Masunga/Tshesebe road project is to be announced in January next year.

Minister of Transport and Communications Mr Kitso Mokaila said re-awarding of the project tender, which followed the termination of the previous contractor, was at an advanced stage.

Responding to questions during a kgotla meeting addressed by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in Masunga on November 20, Minister Mokaila said government decided to terminate the contract with M/s Bash Carriers as it had failed to meet milestones.

The project, he said, had been scheduled for completion next January but by August was only at 17 per cent against the expected 75 per cent hence the decision to terminate the contract.

He explained that  only contractors who had initially tendered were considered adding that the ministry was determining the amount needed for the resumption the project.

He assured residents that the Department of Roads would visit the site to assess all open pits and trenches along the road that were left open by the former contractor to avoid accidents.

Mr Mokaila said Gulubane, Mambo, Masingwaneng and Sechele would not benefit from the project due to the regulation that only access roads within the 10 kilometre radius from the main road under construction would be tarred.

He advised former employees of M/s Bash Carriers, who had not received their wages to refer the matter to the Industrial Court.

This was after one former employee, Mr Phemelo Paul,  had requested the minister to assist him get his outstanding five months’ wages.Kgosi Maruje III had expressed disappointment over the tendency by Batswana contractors to take their jobs for granted. ENDS