16 Jul 2026

The re-gravelling and culvert installation project along the Kachikau-Parakarungu road has not been completed to the large extent attributable to the contractor’s poor performance while unfavourable weather conditions such as heavy rainfall’s contribution were quite minimal.

Answering a question in Parliament on Wednesday, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Noah Salakae said it was awarded to Heritage Contractors Company at the sum of P 19,617,739.40 and started on February 9, 2024 and was scheduled for completion on May 9, 2025.

He noted that the completion date was extended to August 8, 2025 to compensate for the time lost while sourcing the borrow pit.

In a bid to fulfil contractual obligations, he said the ministry issued Notices to Correct, requiring the contractor to improve performance and the first notice was issued in June 2025 while the second one was issued at the end of March 2026 and the contractor was terminated on the 30th April 2026.

“At the time of termination, progress was at 47 per cent against the planned 100 per cent completion and contractual matters on this project have not been concluded and once done, procurement of another contractor to complete the outstanding works will commence,” he added.

The minister was responding to a question from Chobe MP, Mr Simasiku Mapulanga, who had asked the minister to update Parliament on progress of the Kachikau-Parakarungu road project, in particular why the project has not been completed to date and if he would consider terminating the contract as it was evident there was failure to deliver the project. ENDS