22 Jan 2023

Local contractors have been urged to deliver quality work on time and within budget particularly that government prioritises local empowerment.

The call was made by the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale at the ground breaking of  Gumare-Sepopa  and Sepopa-Mohembo roads recently at Gumare and Sepopa villages.

Mr Molale implored the two companies engaged in the maintenance of the 140 kilometer road to be exemplary in delivering quality work as expected.

One local company, Bango Trading was awarded 70 kilometer of Gumare-Sepopa road at the tune of P102 million while the other 70 kilometer of Sepopa-Mohembo road was awarded to Rockefeller Civil Engineering PTY LTD at about P90 million.

Mr Molale said through Citizen Economic Empowerment regulations the government aimed to ensure that more projects were awarded to Batswana.

He observed that the regulations would only bear positive results if local companies engaged produced quality work and built credible profiles for themselves.

For his part, the Member of Parliament for Okavango Mr Kenny Kapinga appreciated that the road was finally being considered for maintenance.

Mr Kapinga however said that most local companies failed to deliver projects on time which impacted negatively on the public.

He cited the 35 kilometer Nokaneng-Gumare stretch maintenance, which he said had been ongoing for four years with no progress.

Mr Kapinga also appealed to the company engaged in the Sepopa-Mohembo road to prove itself and produce a quality project on time.

Some residents in an interview said were delighted  that the road was finally being maintained.

A businessman, Mr Akim Setswalo said the maintenance of the road would help improve the lives Okavango populace.

Another businessman, Mr Goemamang Ditshupelo said improving the road condition would help business people as it would reduce car breakdowns and accidents. Ends