29 Mar 2022

The Ministry of Transport and Communications’ plans for the pontoons currently serving at the Mohembo Ferry Crossing point are to transfer the ferries over to Botswana Tourism Organisation to use them for tourism purposes once the bridge becomes operational.

Responding to a parliamentary question recently, transport communications minister, Mr Thulagano Segokgo said the transfer would be done according to the PPADB Regulation 136, which detailed what needed to be done when transferring assets.

Mr Segokgo said the contractor’s camp would revert to the ministry for use as offices and accommodation for the DRTS/Roads staff. He added that the contractor, Itinera/Cimolai Joint Venture, had pledged as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), to the communities of Shakawe and Mohembo, which they would leave behind as a legacy. Beneficiaries included Mohembo Primary School which the company adopted in 2018 and received stationery worth P10000.

The company also donated P15 000 towards Shakawe Senior School prize giving gifts. Mohembo VDC also received Wi-Fi park fence worth P20 000 while the company also maintained Mohembo-Shakawe internal Roads for P25 000.

The minister added that not only did the contractor demonstrate CSR, but also offered the consulting engineer and sub-consultant, donating 200 chairs worth P15 000 to Samochima Primary School, stationery worth P10 000 to Mohembo Primary School    Stationery, Mohembo VDC also received P5 000 for Wi-Fi. 

Further, he said Herbco Technical Services, the project environmental sub-consultant donated P10 000 to Popagano JSS as well as PA system, siren  and Internet connection to Gudigwa Primary School    at P25 000. Okavango MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga had asked the minister to update Parliament on plans for the pontoons currently serving at the Mohembo ferry crossing point once the bridge was operational.

Mr Kapinga also wanted to know what would happen to the contractors’ camp post completion of the bridge. Again, the legislator wanted to know what CSR legacy would Itinera/Cimolai Joint Venture leave behind for the people of Mohembo once the bridge was complete. ends