22 Jun 2020

Minister of Transport and Communications has expressed concern over delays in addressing challenges experienced by the Dibete-Mookane-Machaneng road project contractor which have led to a seven-month extension.

 “The project could be 98 per cent complete but is now 85 per cent, Minister  Thulagano Segokgo noted in an interview following a site visit recently.

  Mr Segokgo however said he was impressed with progress made so far.

 “I am satisfied with what I have seen and believe it will be completed on time,” Mr Segokgo said.

He said road construction was an expensive undertaking worsened by delays caused by those seeking compensation for their land. 

He pleaded for understanding.

Giving the project background,  VA Associates resident engineer Mr Mosupi Moile said it commenced in June 2017 at a total estimated cost of P527 million and was to be completed by December 2019.

Mr Moile said due to challenges experienced, the project was now scheduled for completion on August 8.

“Challenges posed by COVID-19 might also stretch it a bit,” Mr Moile said.

He said the total project length was 134 kilometres, including two kilometres of access roads.

“In terms of progress, we are at 85 versus 98 per cent. But, again we have to look at the effects of other delays, so it might look as if we are a little bit behind while in actual fact we are just about to complete,” he said.

Mr Moile said 108 kilometres had been completed out of which  105km had been opened to the public.“The remainder is from Machaneng up to Makwate. Works are concentrated from Machaneng to Makwate and a little bit to the junction on the road to Parr’s Halt Border,” he added.

Mr Moile said expropriation of property and payments added to challenges that caused the delay.

For his part, ACEZ Joint Venture project director, Mr Botshelo Mazhani said the company anticipated to complete the project and open it up for use around September or October.

ACEZ Botswana is the project contractor. It is a joint venture between Excavator Hire, also known as D&S Machinery and Plant Hire and Asphalt Botswana.ends