26 Feb 2019

Mahalapye Sub-council authorities have noted with concern delays in completion of constituency community projects.

Councillors aired their concerns at a sub-council session on Monday during a presentation on progress of the projects, indicating that it was unfortunate to witness that the council was still reporting on incomplete projects of the previous financial year.

During the presentation, community projects officer, Ms Wame Papo indicated that some projects started late due to queries by some bidders.

“Even though projects were awarded on time, some bidders logged complaints and therefore delay commencement of the projects,” she said.

The sub-district is currently implementing 121 projects for the financial year 2017/2018 and 98 of the current financial year.

Projects include,  among others, construction of staff houses, maintenance, electrification and water reticulation.

Ms Papo also added that some contractors. especially those who were awarded paving of roads, delayed due to lack of resources.

Delay by Botswana Power Corporation in inspecting and commissioning power connection projects was also noted as a stumbling block.

Councillor Gabautwe Maboka of Chadibe-Borotsi stated that some departments were reluctant in doing their part, thereby delaying completion of projects.

Mr Maboka also suspected that council authorities were not taking the concerned departments to task.

“We have raised similar concerns in the previous council sessions and it appears nothing has been done. We are tired of recurring challenges without getting convincing reasons” he said.

He further said some projects were reported during previous sub-council sessions that they were awaiting power connection,  but there was no progress recorded.

He said tower lights and some construction projects such as houses were yet to be connected with power pending inspections by BPC.

Councillor for Mahalapye North, Ms Julia Miranda said failing to complete projects on time handicapped the development process of the sub-district.

“We are still struggling with projects of the previous financial year. I wonder when projects approved under the current financial year will take off,” she said.

Councillor Joseph Mafoko of Machaneng-Moshopha appealed to council authorities to elaborate challenges resulting in the delay of projects.

Mr Mafoko advised the sub- council chairperson, Mr Tassman Cebani to seek help, suspecting that the administrative wing could be giving him challenges.

“If the administrative wing is frustrating you, please tell us, so that we can help you,” he said.

Responding to the delay of connecting tower lights and other facilities to the power grid, principal electrical engineer, Ms Gofaone Tshotlane was equally concerned by the current situation.

“We have physically visited BPC offices at Palapye, to get firsthand information on what could be leading to the delay,” she said.

Ms Tshotlane said BPC had also noted that some of their projects were awarded to sub-contractors and therefore some of the contracted companies were delaying in executing their assigned projects. ENDS