29 May 2022

Okavango Sub-district councillors have expressed disappointment at the slow progress of the Gumare-Mohembo and Nokaneng-Gumare road projects.
This follows an update by the Department of Roads regarding the two projects during the Okavango Sub-district Council meeting recently.

In his briefing, Acting Chief Roads Engineer (North West), Mr Nchindo Masule had informed councillors that the Gumare-Mohembo road tender was still at an evaluation stage.
Mr Masule explained that the department had submitted a technical report to the Ministry of Transport of Communications last December and re-submitted it in February this year, but had not received any feedback yet.

He said that once the evaluation stage was completed, the project would then move to the financial report stage.
During a full council meeting in June 2021,  North West District councillors were informed that the Gumare-Mohembo road was allocated P170 million for the shoulder reinstatement and asphalt overlay.
Asked whether the funds allocated to the project were still available, Mr Masule answered in the affirmative.

With regard to the Nokaneng-Gumare road, he said the contractor was back on site to continue with the project, adding however that the contractor still had challenges of shortage of materials and had since requested the department to assist with advance funds to purchase the materials.

He said that the request to assist the contractor with funds in advance had been submitted to the roads department headquarters and they were awaiting a response.
“The contractor is back on site since last week and has purchased some of materials but has shortage of dust. He has also found a sub-contractor,” he said.

Mr Masule said the Nokaneng-Gumare road project, which started in 2019, and was expected to be completed in 2020, faced many challenges from the onset, and was currently 18 months behind schedule.  
He said the ministry had also delayed paying the contractor his claim due to disagreements between the two parties, adding that the contractor was paid last October.
The contractor had cited challenges of COVID-19 and floods, which he said damaged some of his materials as well as shortage of materials in the district, while some suppliers requested payments upfront.

When commenting, nominated councillor, Mr Molathegi Moyei expressed disappointment that the Nokaneng-Gumare contractor was back on site, yet the project had stalled for a long time.
Gumare-Tubu South councillor, Mr Keobinetse Matenanga lamented the lack of progress, noting that the Nokaneng-Gumare road was in a terrible state.
Mr Matenanga said that it was not clear who was at fault between the contractor and the Department of Roads.

Regarding Gumare-Mohembo road, Mr Matenanga said the council had been given the impression that the project was allocated funds and would be done swiftly, but it was no longer the case. He suggested that the Okavango Sub-district should take up the issue through the North West District Council to request the minister responsible to give answers. ENDS