26 Aug 2019

The Moshupa/Manyana road design has been submitted while the environmental impact assessment has been completed, Minister of Transport and Communications Ms Dorcas Makgato has said.

She told the Moshupa Sub-district Council that the project was part of those planned for financing through the Chinese government grant.

Since the grant was offered in phases, the first P300 million was directed towards Kgoro/Goodhope, Makalamabedi-Motopi and Radisele-Pilikwe roads.

Ms Makgato expressed optimism that the road would be included in the next phase.

On other issues, she acknowledged that the ministry was lagging behind on project delivery and roads maintenance nationwide.

“As central government, we have taken the responsibility of roads but we do not have equipment and personnel. On the other hand the councils are left with equipment but do not have funds,” she explained.

Consequently, she said, plans were underway to facilitate combination of ministry and  council resources through the Office of the District Commissioner for effective service delivery.
The development would ensure disbursement of funds by the ministry to local authorities for timely maintenance of roads, Ms Makgato said.

In addition, the minister said outsourcing of road maintenance as a possible solution was being implemented  in some areas and   was promising.

She said corruption was one of the contributory factors to delayed project implementation.

Minister Makgato expressed regret that some officers colluded with contractors and consultants for personal gain.

She said action was being taken against the culprits adding that the ministry was in consultation with the Attorney General’s Chambers to review tender policies which often resulted in legal battles.

For his part, Botswana Integrated Transport Project manager Mr Mmoloki Baele acknowledged that the Output and Performance Based Road Contract (OPRC) project from Mmankgodi junction to Jwaneng was progressing slowly.

He attributed the delay partly to incompetent management that failed to pay sub-contractors.

Mr Baele said in addition to requesting a new project manager, they had since resorted to direct payment of sub-contractors who were now back on site.

He said of the remaining works, the contractor was currently tarring Sese access road which would be followed by Moshana, Kanye as well as finishing touches at Polokwe.

More work had to be done on Lotlhakane West access road which was not up to standard.

Mr Baele emphasised the need for the contractor to commit to completion deadlines adding that the company would also be available for road maintenance.

For their part, councillors complained that Southern District roads were generally in a bad state.

Nominated councillor Ms Ponatshego Tshiping applauded the Ministry of Transport and Communications for striving towards combining resources to improve service delivery.

Manyana/Mogonye councillor Mr Peter Sethibe said even though they appreciated the ministry’s efforts of addressing roads challenges across the country, the Moshupa/Manyana road should be prioritised because it was supposed to be done through the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) for the 2017/18 financial year. Ends