12 Oct 2020

Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Mr Mmusi Kgafela, has encouraged contractors engaged in government works to take their work seriously.

The minister said this at the handing over of an operating theatre at Rakops Primary Hospital on October 8. 

He said it was unfortunate that the project had taken far too long to complete, adding that it was delayed by a period in excess of seven years.Minister Kgafela said government’s desire was to empower local companies and equip them with necessary skills and experience to undertake other projects.

He said the wish was to see even mega projects being executed by local companies, but some failed to deliver.“The danger with consistent delays in completion of projects is that the beneficiaries, being Batswana, end up not getting the services, which government would have promised,” he said.

Minister Kgafela said the project and many others, which were delivered late, must remain lessons to all contractors and the supervision teams.

“As a ministry charged with building infrastructure, we stand ready to facilitate all construction stakeholders for timely and efficient delivery of quality building infrastructure to ensure that government and the people of this country get value for money, he said.

For his part, the Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe urged contractors to deliver on budget and time. He expressed disappointment that government money was wasted as a project that could have cost P11 million ended up costing over P17 million and also exceeded the time frame that was set. ends