CAAB defends P47m airfield ‘paving’
Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday August 25, 2025 10:21
CAAB recently announced that Tender No CAAB 27/24/WORK, a design and build contract for Palapye airfield paving, was directly awarded to NMA Consulting Engineers in joint venture with K’s Transport and Plant Hire at a cost of P47,303,098.73. The award raised eyebrows as some questioned why a former member of the Development Model review Task Team, Daisy James, through her company NMA Consulting Engineers, was awarded the tender. Further, there were questions on the amount for ‘paving’.
According to CAAB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Bao Mosinyi, the procurement entails construction of a new runway, encompassing, without limitation, civil works, runway pavement, access roads, terminal building, river crossing infrastructure, and associated works.
On how the project came about, Mosinyi said, following the successful completion of the Sua Airfield, the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), as the project sponsor, proposed the development of a new airfield modeled after the Sua Pan Airport, utilising heavy-duty concrete paving blocks.
“The principal objective of the renovation works is to facilitate accessibility and operational efficiency for State security agencies. Consequently, the project has been designated as a matter of high strategic priority,” he said.
Given the prescribed general design and time constraints, Mosinyi said it was proposed for the project to be implemented using the Direct Procurement method, by appointing the consultant who had implemented the benchmark airport, Sua Pan Airport, being NMA Consulting Engineers, for the delivery of the project.
“NMA has already undertaken key preliminary design activities for the proposed airfield, including the topographical survey, geotechnical investigations, and hydrological assessment. The company has previously been engaged in the construction of runways at Selebi-Phikwe and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, demonstrating substantial expertise and experience in the execution of airport construction projects,” he said.
For purposes of the project, Mosinyi said NMA was permitted to form partnerships or consortia, or a Joint Venture to enhance their capabilities and resources.
Furthermore, he said NMA was previously engaged by CAAB in a tender for consultancy services (pre & post) contract to review infrastructure, propose new design and prepare tender document for Seronga, Shakawe, Gumare and Mamuno airfield development via open domestic bidding.
Quizzed on whether the award was done fairly, Mosinyi said he was certain that they did it by the book. “I had no knowledge of the person who was being mentioned in relation to the DM model review task team. Even though this tender was urgent, it is not new and comes back from sometime last year. We actually had cancelled it with the advice of our internal procurement oversight unit, hence it was only recently awarded. It could have been given to the same company before there were any issues pertaining to the DM model. I can confidently confirm there was no external undue influence on the award,’ he said.
Despite the public outcry, Mosinyi said they had not received any objection to the award.
Quizzed on under what circumstances the CAAB appoints directly as opposed to open bidding, he said it is done when the procurement requirement can be fulfilled by a specific/ sole supplier such as original equipment manufacturer; the requirements need to be compatible or inter- changeable with the existing works, services or supplies; conditions relating to provision of warranty and liability on the part of a supplier maybe impaired; the use of an alternative supplier for work or continued work may impact aspect of experience, knowledge and skills; when there is insufficient time to conduct procurement through any other procurement method; and when works, supplies or services are available from only one contractor.
On open bidding, he said it is used where the procurement requirement can be fulfilled by any number of potential suppliers' capacity, with the intent to foster healthy competition and maximise value for money.