13 Mar 2024

Parliament has learnt of the remarkable improvement in the supervision and contract management of infrastructure projects by the development managers.

Presenting Ministry of Transport and Public Works’ 2024/25 budget proposals on Tuesday, Mr Eric Molale said the 145 projects estimated at P13 billion across the country under the Development Manager model (DM) were at different stages of pre-contract.

Furthermore, he said the DM projects would be increased by five critical projects namely namely Mohembo-Gudigwa road (161km), Rasesa -Lentsweletau-Mahetlwe- Hatsalatladi-Botlhapatlou-Ngware-Diphuduhudu (104km), Letlhakeng-Kaudwane road (95km), Mmathethe-MetloboTsoaneng-Bray-Werda (250km) road and Borobadilepe-Mokatako road (52km).

Minister Molale further said out of the 150 projects under DM execution, 66 had been identified as quick wins and were scheduled to commence in the first quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year.

He was of the view that even though there had been delays in the commencement of projects under this model, efforts were in place to ensure that project implementation was fast tracked.

He said the ministry had put in place some reforms to improve project management and save government losses associated with lack of project management and poor workmanship by some contractors.

Mr Molale said the ministry would further present to government for approval some strategies such as project governance framework, facilities management framework, valuing and securitising government assets to leverage private sector funding for maintenance of public infrastructure.

He said government would also put in place some defining standards for building and construction materials by ensuring compliance thereto through regular monitoring.

Parliament also learnt that the ministry continued to review the transport legislation in order to meet emerging challenges faced by the sector as well as to position the country regionally, for trade facilitation and growth of the economy.

Regarding the Public Road Act, Mr Molale said the ministry would undertake a holistic review of the act and also draft the supporting regulations.

He said the Road Traffic Act was amended to provide for IT compliant number plates, personaliSed number plates and the introduction of demerit point system.

Mr Molale said the supporting Regulation of the amended Act were being drafted and that the draft bill for the Road Transport Permit Act was currently being finalised for presentation to Parliament and would be completed during the coming financial year.

He said the Public Roads Act was amended in 2022 to incorporate Road Tolling. 

Since the amendment, the minister said the ministry had now constructed alternative routes such as Dibete-Machaneng, Molepolole-Mosolotshane-Serowe, Paje-Serule. 

Others that are either being constructed or planned for construction include Modipane-Mabalane, Mmandunyane-Mathangwane and Rasesa-Lentsweletau-Diphuduhudu.

“Previously, a study had indicated that road tolling was not feasible in Botswana due to lack of alternative roads and low volume of traffic,” said Mr Molale.

He also briefed Parliament that in order to address challenges of costs associated with road traffic accidents, the ministry would educate, equip and empower local communities such as youth, VDC structures and village trusts.

In that regard, he said, the ministry would undertake pothole maintenance using alternative technologies, clean and de-bush road reserves, maintain road installations such as fences, gates, signage and road markings.

These, the minister said, would be packaged into appropriate distance intervals that would allow maximum participation of the local communities to implement these initiatives aimed at empowering citizens and unlocking jobs.

Regarding air traffic services, he said the ministry had prioritised Seronga, Shakawe, Gumare and Mamuno Airfields for refurbishment under the Second Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP).

“The projects are expected to be awarded during 2024/2025 financial year. 

Refurbishment of Kang, Tsabong and Hukuntsi will be budgeted for implementation during NDP 12,” he said.

Mr Molale said the Palapye Airfield, which had been closed due to compliance issues was currently undergoing maintenance and was expected to be reopened by May.

As for Ghanzi Airfield, he said, the ministry would ensure its upkeep while finalising the assessment and consultations on relocation to new site. 

These airfields will help intensify air passenger travel in some of these areas.

Mr Molale also told Parliament that Air Botswana continued to make efforts to improve its current financial status and move towards recovery and growth and that the airline had reviewed its business model to focus more on its key mandate.

As a result, he said the process of acquiring four additional aircraft was ongoing and expected to be completed by the end of this month, followed by route network expansion as well as growing the cargo business wing.

“Air Botswana is working on the principle of full shift to enable better flight operations. 

This will be done through employment of more pilots, engineers and cabin crew in the coming financial year,” he said.

Regarding Botswana Railways, the minister said, there were plans to construct a maintenance facility for Botswana Railways rolling stock.

So far, he said the procurement of a private investor was ongoing and the project was expected to commence in this coming financial year and that it would serve to improve maintenance capacity of the organisation and creation of additional jobs.

As a way of diversifying its funding streams, Mr Molale said Botswana Railways was partnering with some of its key stakeholders such as Botswana Ash to maintain its rolling stock. 

These partnerships will avail new streams of revenue, capital as well as technical expertise to Botswana Railways. ENDs