20 Feb 2019

The Chairperson  of the Palapye Administrative Authority (PAA), Mr Lesedi Phuthego says that projects under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) III agenda are in progress although some were running behind schedule. 

Officially opening the PAA full council on February 18, Mr Phuthego said that the construction of three teachers houses at Mokungwane Primary School stood at 56 per cent.

He said the project commenced in October 2018 and was expected to be completed by end of March. 

He said a project to construct two teachers houses and a classroom block at Morwalela Primary School, which commenced in October last year and planned to be complete in June was currently 64 per cent complete.

The chairperson further noted that a teacher’s house construction project at Khurumela Primary School was currently 46 per cent complete. 

He said the project started in October 2018 and was scheduled to be complete by end of January this year. 

However, the contractor has applied for extension of time. 

In addition, Mr Phuthego indicated that one teachers house construction project at Boipuso Primary School was also is also trailing behind schedule.

The project, he said, started in October 2018 and was expected to be completed on February 11 this year. 

The project currently stands at 40 per cent. 

He said the contractor had since been given a letter of non-performance and advised on how to improve his performance, but did not heed the advice. 

“As for Moreomabele Customary Court project, I am happy to report that the project was awarded on January 24 and expected to start on February 25,” he said. 

In summary, regarding ESP III projects, Mr Phuthego expressed concern that the projects in the said primary schools were lagging behind except for Morwalela Primary School, which is on course and expected to be complete in due time.

He said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development had since summoned the Central District Council to come up with a comprehensive recovery or rescue plan to ensure that all the projects were completed by March 30. 

Regarding ESP I projects that included connection of 10 teachers houses at Ratsie Setlhako Primary School to the Water Utilities main sewerage network, Mr Phuthego said the project was still lagging behind and currently at five per cent. 

He further said the contractor’s reason for this delay was the delay in the supply of material for the project.

He also pointed out that the long awaited ESP II project, which comprised of the construction of three teachers houses at Molebatsi Primary School had been completed. 

He explained that the houses were not handed over to the client after completion earlier on because they were not connected to the town grid. 

However, he mentioned thnat since the houses were connected with electricity recently, the project had been handed over to the client. ENDS