14 Oct 2014

Completion contract for the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA) has been awarded to Stefanutti Stocks at a cost of P142 568 702.04 on July 14, 2014. 

Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, principal public relations officer, Mr Malepa Dibonwa said in responce to a questionnaire response that the project's completion date was March 31, 2015.

He said there were no cost overruns at this point as the completion project only commenced on July. Regarding the former contractor Synohydro, that was terminated, Mr Dibonwa stated that the former contractor was disputing termination through the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Tribunal. 

“The government of Botswana has already submitted the employers’ claims regarding the defective/incomplete works to the engineer for a determination, in accordance with the conditions of contract. Once the engineer has made a decision on the employer’s claims, the government intends to utilise the performance security monies to offset the amounts determined by the engineer to be due to the employer,” he stated. 

He further said that the impact on the travelling citizens had been negligible as the airport has been operational even after termination. “You are aware that in May 2014 we hosted the Youth Games and the mode of transport was air and we have not experienced any hiccups. There is however loss of other economic opportunities occasioned by the delays to fully utilise the facility as originally intended, “ he said. 

The SSKIA was constructed in two phases. Phase I was handed in May 2010 and it is the part that is in operation. Phase II was nearly complete at the time of the termination of the previous contractor and was never handed over to the client, as it was not 100 per cent complete at termination of contract in July 2012.The project was initially undertaken by Synohydro Botswana at the tune of P550 million.

Meanwhile the Institute of Health Sciences staff houses at Block six in Gaborone remain incomplete due to minor contractual legal issues, which are being addressed by the Department of Building and Engineering Services (DBES) with the contractor.

Mr Dibonwa said the legal issues were currently being addressed and DBES was exploring modalities or options of how to expedite the completion of the remaining works which we estimate will take about 6 months to complete.  He said government will take over the completed project only after on completion of remaining works. The project was approved by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) in 2008 for a tendered amount of P 28.3 million.  ENDS