10 Mar 2015

Delay in the completion of the P115 million Molepolole bus rank project is worrisome, says the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Frans Van Der Westhuizen.

Speaking during a brief visit to the project, Mr Van Der Westhuizen expressed disappointment that the project was moving slowly, adding that he was doubtful that indeed the project would be completed in July as per the contractor’s promise.

He said so far, a total of P110 million had already been paid to the contractor, and expressed fear that in case the contractor failed to complete the project only P5 million would remain, an amount inadequate to complete the remaining work.

The project, which was initially scheduled to be completed in August last year, was extended to December but still failed to meet the deadline due to a number of factors that included among others the importation of suitable materials, said the Estate Construction Site Agent, Mr Michael Karera. He further said the excessive rainfall experienced last year, also stalled progress resulting in the loss of production time.

Mr Karera assured the assistant minister that despite challenges encountered in the past, they were working around the clock to ensure that the project gets completed by July.

For his part, the project engineer, Mr Julius Swapo said other factors that contributed to the delay included the alteration to the terminal building that was not within the scope of work as well as electricity and water reticulation for the 92 market stalls to enable users use separate meters.

The assistant minister also visited the Gamodubu land fill, where the Kweneng District Council secretary, Mr Wazha Tema briefed him about the huge payment the council pays for servicing the facility.
Mr Tema said some district councils owed huge service charges and also bemoaned the over P92 000 spent on fuel for the operation of the incinerator and other expenses totaling close to a half a million for the running of the landfill.

The Council secretary said they intend approaching the Ministry of Health to consider transferring the incinerator that is currently lying idle at Scottish Livingstone Hospital premises to the landfill to complement the existing one. The hospital incinerator, Mr Tema said could help arrest the situation as it uses coal instead of diesel.

The landfill staff complained about poor working conditions that drastically affect their daily operations such as lack of accommodation and dirt allowance. They expressed happiness that the assistant minister visited the facility, saying it was the visit of its kind since the facility started operating in 2009. Mr Van Der Westhuizen who is also the MP for Kgalagadi West ordered council to seriously look into concerns raised by landfill staff and find solutions. ENDS