21 Sep 2023

Asphalt Botswana and IW Building Construction have been awarded a contract for asphalt overlay of the 85 km road between Jwaneng and Sekoma. The tender is worth P134 million. 

The project, which has been divided into two sections, is expected to be completed in twelve months. Speaking at the contract signing in Sekoma on Wednesday, the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale said the project was part of Botswana’s commitment to improving the status and safety of the Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC), as the international route linking the country to the region and the rest of the world. 

He said as party to the TKC declaration, Botswana continued to contribute towards the development of the corridor to promote regional trade and enhance smooth movement of goods and services. 

However, he regretted that some of the government’s efforts to keep the road safe were thwarted by roaming livestock, which caused road accidents. 

He said vandals had also destroyed barricade fences and gates along the road, rendering it unsafe for road users. “I am appealing to all of us to do our part by keeping this road safe. I urge farmers to keep their livestock away from the road and desist from vandalising these fences and gates,” he said. 

The minister further called on all stakeholders to play their role in ensuring that government projects were delivered on time and within budget. 

He said involving communities during contract signing was one initiative intended to encourage accountability and ownership of such projects. 

Mr Molale underscored the need for proper supervision and monitoring of such projects to avoid unnecessary cost overruns and poor workmanship. He urged project managers and all other personnel involved in the project to ensure they were always on site for effective monitoring. 

He said that the government was currently involved in various legal battles owing to poor project management, some of which were attributed to improper tender documentation.

 Consequently, the government had introduced declaration forms to guard against corrupt practices such as insider trading, soliciting, hoarding and fronting for non-citizens, he said. 

“This is not to scare anyone, it is just to show that we want to change the way we do things to ensure that our projects are delivered within time, with high quality and within budget,” he said. 

He implored the two contractors to change the narrative that Batswana contractors failed to deliver good quality projects on time and within budget. 

He also urged them to contribute towards local economic empowerment by creating employment for local residents, especially for those unskilled and semi-skilled. 

The minister further called on the contractors to buy goods and services from local communities to empower them. To the residents, he urged them to be reasonable as they positioned themselves for the opportunities that would come with the project. 

For his part, Mr Pius Mphathiwa of Asphalt Botswana promised to deliver a high quality project, which they would strive to complete before the stipulated 12 months. 

“We appreciate that this is an international road and therefore we commit to delivering a high quality project,” he said. Mr Ivor Wright of IW Building Construction also promised to do a good job. ENDS