20 Jul 2018

Jwaneng-Mabutsane MP Mephato Reatile has urged the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing Development to nurture Batswana owned construction companies to enable them to grow and compete for global tenders.

Debating the ministry’s 2020/21 budget proposals, MP Reatile said a number of major projects in the country were in the hands of foreign owned companies because locals did not have the capacity to undertake mega projects.

He further said government tenders should be awarded on merit and not through corruption practices which he said led to poor project delivery.

Shashe West MP Fidelis Molao welcomed the reviews of the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) and Architects Registration Council (ARC) saying a number of people have been left out.

Mahalapye West MP David Tshere called for an establishment of the commission of enquiry to audit the ministry, saying corruption was rampant.

Dr Douglas Letsholathebe, MP for Tati East, decried poor work done by contractors adding despite failing numerous times, same companies continued to be awarded tenders.

He welcomed construction of Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) houses in Tati Siding saying this had assisted public officers.

For his part, Gaborone North MP Mr Mpho Balopi has called for drastic improvement of housing in SHHA areas saying the residents should be empowered to improve their living conditions to be at par with those of other areas in the city.

He further said brigades graduates should be empowered and be awarded tenders to maintain government buildings.

Goodhope-Mabule MP Mr Eric Molale said project design, invitation to tender and adjudication of tenders should be done by different teams.

He further said in the past, there were local construction companies such as Tswana and Tlhoraboroko which had the capacity to undertake major projects but had now disappeared.

Dr Never Tshabang of Nkange said BHC was no longer carrying out its mandate as it was selling its houses at market rates which were prohibitive to Batswana.

He also said there might be cases of corruption as some companies continued to be awarded tenders despite failing to deliver.

Boteti East MP Mr Setlhomo Lelatisitswe said contractors should engage professional engineers adding only people with the right qualification must be given tenders.

South East MP Thulagano Segokgo said the government should just build simple structures fit for the purpose they were to serve to cut design costs.

He said such buildings would be easy for youth construction companies to undertake.

Okavango MP Mr Kenny Kapinga said there were some element of corruption as some BHC houses in Shakawe passed inspection although they were faulty.

He requested the minister to respond quickly to the situation in Shakawe where the hospital shared a sewage system with the senior school although it was constructed solely for the student population.

Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi said a number of government buildings in Palapye had been abandoned.

He further said draughts men and artisans should also be registered with relevant professional bodies. Ends