30 Mar 2025

Mmankgodi-Kanye – Jwaneng road project is at different stages of development,  despite the challenges.

Briefing the councilors in Kanye recently, Principal Roads Engineer, Mr Daniel Makwati said , the project funded through  World Bank, was a pilot project undertaken under a model named Output and Performance based Road Contract(OPRC) which was different from the traditional method.

The road project, he said, runs through several districts amongst them Mogoditshane/Thamaga, Moshupa, Jwaneng and Mabutsane.

“Incepted in 2014, it was sourced from international bidding and had been expected to run for 10 years,” Mr Makwati said adding that it commenced in May 2014 and was expected to be completed in April 2024.

“Unfortunately the contract was terminated before maturity due to ELSAMEX – ITNL-JVCA (the contractor’s) insolvency,” he said.

The government decided to continue with the project which was eventually divided into two different projects and was put through national bidding.

“The two contracts were procured and awarded in 2023 with expected completion to be in 2027,” he stated.

Mr Makwati said that these would incorporate a 6km accesses roads on Package 1 and that the contracts were signed in February 2024 and projects commenced in April 2024.

He stated that the OPRC scope of work was to cover outstanding works on main road and access roads as well as on further construction of access roads to Ramaphatle, Goo Kodisa, Polokwe and Betesankwe.

Mr Makwati said the outstanding works would comprise of constructions works (improvements on junctions and bus tops), rehabilitation of borrow pits, remedial works, periodic maintenance works and routine works.

The contract for Project 1 was awarded to Bango Trading at a cost of P314 million in February 2024 and commenced in April 2024.

The rehabilitation of the Kanye – Jwaneng Road and related access roads has been awarded to Asphalt Botswana at a cost of P466 million, he said.

He said bus stops such as at Losabanyana and Mhiko along A2 road, will be designed and constructed together with major junctions at Losabanyana, Mhiko, Moshana and Selokolela.

Mr Makwati said guard rails were needed in areas like Polokwe, between Sejelo and Polokwe circle and further added that, there would also be reconstruction of failed pavements sections which were required as new installations. ENDS