Tjiyapo was presenting the city's scheme of developments during a forum hosted by EBAT Consultants at Thapama Hotel on Friday. She said that some challenges they face during the execution of projects are a result of actions by the council as well as contractors.

She said in most instances project managers have a tendency of altering designs during implementation of projects leading to delays and cost escalations. The other problem, she noted, is issuance of incomplete sets of project drawings and other important information.

"Project managers tend to delay in making decisions when requested to do so by the contractor. This may be caused by shortage of adequate skilled manpower to respond on time to the contractors' enquiries and queries," she indicated.

She stated that the council has also felt the pinches of the ongoing economic recession which exacerbated the competition for funds from the national treasury by all local authorities. She said due to inadequate funding the council had to defer most of its projects such as the construction of dual carriage roads, an abattoir and the drainage master plan.

Meanwhile, Tjiyapo said that out of the nine major projects that are currently being implemented by council, three of them have been completed. She said the rest are still at different stages.

The recently completed projects are the construction of a maternity ward at Gerald Clinic at a cost of P2.8 million, the construction of Marimavu road, which branches from the A1 highway to Tati River Lodge and associated drainage at P23.7 million. The contruction of Dumela sub fire station and purchase of equipment and specialised vehicles is also complete, at a cost of P22 million.

Earlier on, in his welcome remarks, councillor for Francistown Central ward, Ephraim Maiketso indicated that although Francistown was declared a city in 1997, there has been nothing much to show its as city status.