26 May 2022

Maun Administrative Authority has approved over P14 million under the Economic Recovery and Transformational Programme (ERTP) to carry out maintenance at several schools falling under the sub-council.

Giving an update on development projects, Maun Administrative Authority chairperson, Mr Vepaune Moreti revealed that projects earmarked for maintenance included teachers’ houses at Sehithwa, Thito and Tawana primary schools, classrooms at Botswelelo and Letsholathebe primary schools and ablution blocks at Kareng Rural Area Dwellers (RADs) hostels among others.

Tenders for these projects will close mid June and the expected completion date for the projects is September.

He hailed the development as a blessing to the sub-district, considering that most of the facilities were in a state of despair.

In an effort to improve internal roads infrastructure, Mr Moreti said P4.5 million had been allocated to the Department of Roads for construction and maintenance works.

The funds will be used for resealing, edge and shoulder repair of Matlola two kilometre  road section and for the purchasing of premix to be used for pothole patching in Maun and other areas.

The chairperson also reported that the previously reported P8 million fuel levy project for resealing of Sir Seretse Khama Road and repairing of damaged storm water drainage structures in Maun had not commenced yet.

The project completion date was planned for December last year before it was nullified by the appeals board.

Subsequently a re-tender was made and presently under evaluation, the house learnt.

Mr Moreti also pointed out that recently the roads department was funded to the tune of P2.5 million under ministerial development budget and another P2.5 million from fuel levy funds.

The funds, he explained, had been directed to resealing of Sehithwa internal roads and paving of Sedie/Botshabelo road in Maun respectively.

The house was also informed that all the five Constituency Community Projects (CCP) had been completed.

The projects included installation of cold rooms at Tsau and Toteng and equipping of Xaxaba and Xhana boreholes as well as electrification of Tsau Study Group building.

However, he raised a concern that the council continued to face delays in procurement processes as tenders and quotations took long to be awarded.

He noted that the commitment they made to complete some projects within time would not be realised as some of the tenders had just been awarded.

Furthermore, the chairperson cited completion of one LA2 house at Nxaraga, cubicle toilet blocks at Matlola Primary School and construction of 11 destitute housing units at Matlapana, Matsaudi, Sexaxa, Toteng, Bodibeng and Makakung.

“Some of these projects have been terminated and the longer it takes for the procurement process to be concluded, the more delays will be caused.

Also, price escalations will cause project delays due to costs exceeding the budgeted amount and ultimately the issue of project backlog will always remain a thorn on our side,” he said.

Mr Moreti revealed that Economic Stimulus Projects such as the construction of education facilities at Toteng, Komana, Legotlhwane, Boyei, Boseja and Disaneng were underway.

All the projects are expected to be completed by November. ENDS