07 Jun 2015

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Mr Frans Van Der Westhuizen has expressed delight at the newly commissioned Palapye bus rank which started operating on the 26th of March 2015.

He said he was impressed by the completion of the bus rank on time and the amazing design of it.

He said he was also happy that the project did not overrun its budget and less than P75 million was spent on it. 

The project was funded to the tune of P74 794 902.51 with P74 501 735.02 as expenditure towards the project. 

Mr. Westhuizen was speaking during the tour of the new Palapye bus rank infrastructure in Palapye recently.

 He said government is concerned about the projects that are not completed on time and it was good that Palapye Administration Authority managed to deliver the bus rank on time.

He said that he was optimistic that the bus rank will contribute to the uplifting of livelihoods of small businesses that use the market stalls.

 He encouraged Palapye Administration Authority to maintain the standard of cleanliness at the bus rank and make it accessible to the public. 

Meanwhile the Assistant Council Secretary for Palapye Administration Authority Mr Goloswang Ramogala informed the Assistant Minister that the construction of Palapye bus rank started on the 11th of April 2013 and was anticipated to be complete by 10th October 2014.

He said due to some technicalities the projects was not finished on the said time frame hence attracting extension of time up to 31st January 2015 due to bad weather and additional works.

Mr Ramogala said that the project is currently 99% complete with major components being complete.

He said when the project was initially launched the community was consulted and it is almost complete ready to be used by the public.

The major components of the project include the main terminal building, 40 market stalls, parking bays, access roads, storm water drainage, floodlights, street lights and traffic lights.

Present was also councilor  Jordan Makhura of Morupule ward who said  the bus rank will attract a lot of people and that small businesses will benefit from the facility.  ENDS