22 Jan 2025

Government has prioritised timely delivery of quality projects to bring services closer to the people.

The Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa said this when touring a primary school project at Senonnori ward in Maun on Tuesday.

The primary school project, divided into two packages;  academic facilities awarded to LERS Electrical Services at P56 million and staff houses awarded to Black Rubbie properties, commenced last year January and was to be completed in February 2025.

Minister Motshegwa commended LERS Electrical which is a citizen-owned company for being on schedule and promising to deliver the project on time. He said delivering the school project on time would ensure that learners in the area accessed education which would contribute positively to their future.

However, he said government was concerned by contractors which failed to deliver projects on time and did shoddy jobs. Thus, he called on Black Rubbie properties, which is behind schedule, to ensure that staff houses were delivered on time.

LERS Electrical Services technical director, Mr Opelo Keatlhotswe expressed optimism that they would deliver the project on time since they held quality and timely delivery of projects in high regard.

Mr Keatlhotswe said the company experienced challenges such as shortage of materials in Maun but ensured it procured enough materials to be readily available on site.

Giving a brief about the project, the North West District Council (NWDC) chief architecture and building services officer, Ms Gofentsemang Chabane said the academics facilities package was at about 83 per cent finishing stage.

Ms Chabane said the academic facilities package included 22 classrooms, a reception block with two classrooms and an administration block. She said the P25 million staff houses package on one hand, which comprised 25 staff houses, was behind schedule. She said the council had so far engaged with the contractor during technical meetings.

Black Rubbie Properties company site agent, Mr Tshekimang Tshwenyego said the company was behind schedule as their previous bricklayers were slow while some absconded from work.

Also, he said they experienced shortages of building materials such as gravel, windows, door frames and stock bricks in the months of May, July and October last year respectively. Mr Tshwenyego was hopeful that they would complete the project in August. ENDS