06 Oct 2022

Government is worried by some Batswana contractors who continue to let the nation down by failing to complete projects on the agreed times.

Failure to adhere to set times is not  only an inconvenience to Batswana but also comes at an extra cost.

Minister of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture, Mr Tumiso Rakgare raised the concern following a tour of Tonota mini stadium on October 5. 

The facility, whose construction  started early last year, was supposed to be completed in a year’s time.

Earlier during the facility tour, the project manager, Mr Richard Siamisang of Tonota Sub-district Council informed the minister that the delay stemmed from a court case regarding one of the stadium components being exchange rooms and staff lounge.

Minister Rakgare said despite the government’s effort to empower Batswana contractors by awarding them tenders, it was disheartening that they either deserted such projects or failed to complete them on time and within the budget.

However, he said government would not be discouraged by such as there are other Batswana contractors who do their work diligently. He said they were experiencing delay in a similar project in Mmadinare, adding such habits must be condemned.

Minister Rakgare advised the leadership of Tonota to consider surveying for water within the premises of the stadium as that  could help reduce expenses of  watering natural grass  and not  install turf which he said was not conducive for other sporting codes.

He also stated that government had taken a decision to go for solar energy instead of conventional energy which was very expensive for mega projects such as stadia.

Minister Rakgare said upon completion, the project would create jobs for the youth of Tonota and he appealed to residents of Tonota to utilise the stadium.

Mr Siamisang had explained that the project had been divided into components being the executive lounge, ablution block, exchange rooms and the boundary walls as well as a kiosk block.

He said the intention was to have the components allocated to four subcontractors.

Regarding some of the components behind scheduled time, Mr Siamisang said they saw it fit to hire local contractors for the walls after parting ways with one of the initial sub- contractors.

He said the council had  intensified monitoring of the project to ensure that the stadium was completed within a short period of time.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Pogiso Sekoko of Tonota also expressed concern about the project’s delay.

He said a lot of talented and skilled youth in the community were ready to utilise the stadium.

Tonota Sub-district Councillor Mr Christjan Machokoto encouraged transparency in the awarding of tenders to avoid court cases that often caused delays in project completion.

Although it was disappointing that some Batswana failed after being awarded tenders, Mr Machokoto applauded those who continued to deliver best results in developments projects.

He said their commitment to finishing projects would open more opportunities for them once they have proven themselves to be reliable in handling such projects. Ends