20 Feb 2020

Government has intensified efforts to remediate the construction of Maitengwe Police Station which was slated for completion on May 7 2020 after it fell behind when the contractor failed to pay workers.

Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Mr Mmusi Kgafela said he was aware of the critical progress of the police station after unsatisfactory monthly records of advancement were noted between 1 per cent and 2 per cent against an expected excess of 7 per cent forecast.

Mr Kgafela said the ministry had engaged the contractor to find ways of expediting completion of the project, noting that the contractor was currently on site and working with the ministry to intensify activity on site.

He explained that the project was recorded at a completion rate of 67 per cent in December, adding that it had already passed completion date.

The minister said the main challenge identified was that workers had not been paid their dues for the period of December 2019 and January 2020.

He, however, assured Parliament that the ministry had paid the contractor all money due to him for work done, adding that they were currently doing all they could to provide redress to the situation. Meanwhile, the minister expressed doubt that the project would be completed by the stipulated completion date of April 2020 despite their intervention.

The MP for Nkange, Dr Never Tshabang wanted the minister to update Parliament on the progress of the construction of Maitengwe Police Station, and whether he was aware that the site was almost being abandoned by the contractor.

He also wanted to know whether the minister was aware of the financial situation in as far as owed workers were concerned; and of the completion date of the said police station. ENDS