28 Mar 2019

Makalamabedi/Phuduhudu road Asphalt overlay project is reported to be on track and expected to be completed before scheduled time.

The Department of Roads’ principal roads engineer, Mr Mmolotsi Galatlhwe revealed in an interview that the P73 million project, which started last September, was scheduled to be completed in September this year.

He said the pace of the contractor, IW Building Construction was satisfactory and indications were that the project would be completed around June.

Mr Galatlhwe said currently the contract had completed 10km of the 46km project from Makalamabedi towards Motlopi turn off.

He said the contractor’s plan had indicated that they would overlay 10km every month and he believed that if they could stick to the plan, they would finish the project before the expected time.
In addition, he said they were satisfied with the workmanship of the project, adding that his office had sent a technical team to the site, who are fully engaged on the project.

Mr Galatlhwe also stated that the contractor was well prepared as he had enough plant and equipment. He said the contractor had experienced some challenges of rock collection, especially during the rainy season.
He explained that the contractor collected rocks from a quarry at Francistown and he had to stop the project for a month because he had run out of the rocks.
Meanwhile, he stated that initially the road was to be reconstructed considering its bad condition, but the relevant ministry could not do that because of financial constraints, hence the intervention to do asphalt overlay while waiting to source funds for re-construction.

The road, which connects Phuduhudu and Maun was said to have exceeded its lifespan and residents had long called for its reconstruction with a hope that it would open doors for more developments.
Mr Galatlhwe said the overlay of the road was the best intervention as it could last five years.
He also revealed that a tender for overlaying and shoulder reconstruction of the 30km Sehithwa/Toteng road had been awarded to Bango Trading Construction Company.
The P124 million project was scheduled to be completed by March next year.

Mr Galatlhwe also pointed out that the 25km section of Tsau/Habu road had been re-awarded to Lemphehu Investment, but the contractor had not yet started the project as they were still waiting for the court decision on the matter.
He said some contractors who had also tendered for the project took the matter to court.
The road was once awarded to a certain contractor whose contract was terminated for  failing to deliver as expected.
The road included access to Tsau and Nokaneng dikgotla.

The regional engineer also shared that efforts were ongoing to make some roads within the Ngamiland passable, citing Nokaneng/Gumare road.
He appealed to contractors to adhere to the obligations,  noting that they should understand that together they served the community who were eager to see quality finished products.
He also appealed to the public to cooperate with the contractors on site, noting that they had observed that some drivers drove at high speed, thus putting the lives of the workers on site at risk.
He called on drivers to obey road signs to avoid unnecessary accidents. ends