07 Apr 2019

Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Mr Vincent Seretse, says during the 2018/19 financial year, the ministry presided over more than P3 billion worth of government projects.

Mr Seretse told the media recently that many of such projects were completed and handed over to clients.

The projects included refurbishment of the old Sefhare and Mahalapye hospitals, Sefhare Agricultural Service Centre project, refurbishment of Bonokopila house and renovation of staff houses at Matshekge Senior Secondary School among others.

He also said the refurbishment of Kachikau clinic had been completed and awaiting handing handover.

Minister Seretse explained that ongoing projects, which were nearing completion, included Botswana Police Service houses in Mmathubudukwane, Maitengwe and Semolale, adding that also under construction was the Botswana Police Forensic Laboratory facilities in Gaborone, which would be completed before end of this year.

Mr Seretse stated that projects such as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) offices in Tutume, Institute of Health Sciences staff houses in Block 6 Gaborone, have had their completion dates substantially delayed.

He said to delays in completion of some of the projects were lack of coordination on the part of some of the contractors including cash flow related challenges.

“In some cases, we have had delays in project completion as a result of scope increases initiated by client ministries,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Mr Seretse assured Batswana that despite few underperforming projects, the ministry was committed to delivering projects that were of high quality, within cost and on time.

He said in the 2019/20 financial year, new projects would be commissioned which would add to the current work load.

He stated that most were now at design stage and their construction would only be confirmed once instructions had been given by client ministries.

He added that most of projects were anticipated from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which had been busy with designs of new hospitals in some areas like Tutume and Selebi Phikwe. ENDS