18 Feb 2025

A section of the Jwaneng-Sekoma road project, awarded to IW Building Construction at approximately P66 million, is currently at 48 per cent progress and submitted for extension with cost.

The asphalt overlay project of the 85 kilometres road between Jwaneng and Sekoma was awarded in two sections to IW Building Construction and Asphalt Botswana at a sum of P134 million in September 2023 and was expected to have been completed in September last year.

While the 43km section awarded to Asphalt Botswana has been completed, the remaining 42km has experienced delays.

Updating the Jwaneng Urban Development Committee (UDC) meeting yesterday, the Jwaneng Town Council senior physical planner, Mr Tumo Motlhagodi said some of the project delays were attributed to hauling of asphalt mix due to request for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and changes in the cost for fuel and bitumen, among others.

However, he noted that the issues were now resolved and the contractor had resumed work.

“Approval for changes in cost for fuel and bitumen was granted in December last year and the contractor resumed work on January 6 and currently only grass removal is ongoing,” he noted.

Consequently, he said the contractor had submitted a request for additional 90 days extension with cost from the revised completion date of January 2025, and the request was under consideration by the ministry.

Meanwhile, he decried vandalism of signage and fencing material, as well as illegal openings at ungazetted points that affected progress of the road section project between Kanye junction and Jwaneng roundabout.

The 72.57km project, undertaken through the Output and Performance Based Road Contract, was awarded to Asphalt Botswana in April last year and is expected to be completed in April 2027. He noted that the project was at 48 per cent progress rate against the 51 per cent target.

In mitigation, Mr Motlhagodi said there were community sensitisation engagements to address vandalism and other related issues.

“The contractor is continually engaging in community sensitisation to combat vandalism of material. The issue of illegal gates is currently being discussed with Roads headquarters to map a way forward. Some of the gates will be closed during the current fencing of road reserve as we continue our engagements with the community, particularly farmers committees,” he said. ENDS