20 Nov 2019

Transport and communications minister, Mr Thulagano Segokgo, has informed Parliament that the Charleshill-Ncojane Road is expected to be completed by March 2020. 

Minister Segokgo said the project, which was scheduled for completion in September 2018, was delayed by approximately 18 months due to varied reasons. 

“The initial budget for the road project exceeded P436 million and as at November 2019, more than P392 million was paid to the contractor. Payments did not correspond with the stages of the project,” he said. 

He explained that payments were done in line with the progress achieved. Mr Segokgo said additional payments were done as a result of decisions awarded to the contractor by the project Dispute Adjudication Board for claims submitted by the contractor. 

The minister had also noted that there were no costs overrun on the project since the expenditure had not exceeded the contract sum. 

He said so far, the contractor had completed 87 km out of the 109 km. Minister Segokgo’s response was to a question by Jwaneng-Mabutsane MP, Mr Mephato Reatile on the initial budget for the road and the amount paid to the contractor to date. 

Mr Reatile also asked whether the payment corresponded with the stages of the project and whether there were any delays on the project. 

The MP Reatile also wanted to know if the project had incurred cost overruns and their causes. 

He also sought clarity on the expected completion time of the project. Ends