18 Mar 2019

North West District councillors have resolved to halt commencement of a P30 million project due to lack of proper consultation with relevant structures of the council.

The project, Maun Asphalt overlay and re-sealing of roads, was approved by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and would funded through a special funding.

The councils were requested to make submissions of roads that needed to be maintained and consequently North West District Council submitted 21 projects.

Despite consultations regarding the project, council secretary, Mr Stephen Motlogelwa said majority of the councillors complained that there were some irregularities “even before commencement of the project.

The councillors were also suprised after they learnt that the project was gazetted and tenders were floating. 

Furthermore, they argued that the matter did not go through the council finance committee and Project Management Committee (PMC).

Okavango Sub-district Council chairperson, Mr Mbahahauka Kambimba, who is also the chairperson of PMC suggested that the matter be referred to Maun Administration Authority so that the procedure could be followed.

He complained about lack of transparency noting that it was disturbing that the council headquarters was performing the role of a sub-council. 

Councillors also insisted that the matter be brought back to them so that they could have input and follow the laid procedure.

Cllr Kaukapita Kaukapita of Sedie said they once requested the report of the proposed projects before submission to the ministry but to no vain.

He argued that they should have been consulted before submission to verify if all the proposed roads were included.

Meanwhile, Councillor Moedi Modiegi said the council had cases at High Court, which came after some tenders for Economic Stimulus Programme were cancelled by the appeals board.

Therefore, he proposed that the project be reversed to avoid such incidents. 

After a lengthy debate the house resolved to halt the project pending consultation with all relevant structures.

In an interview, Mr Motlogelwa explained that they consulted with relevant structures adding that the resolution was “even captured in the minutes of the council.”

He said they submitted 21 projects across the district but the ministry only approved one project, being Maun Asphalt overlay and re-sealing and allocated the council P30 million.

Some of the project submitted included gravel roads within the district. 

The council secretary said the only variance in the submission was the road that led to Botswana Open University, which was now part of the approved project but most of the roads in the list were covered.

He said the report that the councillors requested was not ready and would be presented in the next full council session.

Mr Motlogelwa said they agreed to take the matter back as the councillors requested noting that they intended to discuss it with relevant structures and map the way forward.

He expressed disappointment that they would be a delay to starting the project saying that they might also find it difficult to secure more funding in the next cycle because of low level of expenditure. 

“We are losing time and the opportunity to get more funding in the next cycle,” he added. ENDS