Six years later, F/town Stadium finally opens
Chakalisa Dube | Friday August 7, 2015 14:33
It was handed over by The Minister of Infrastructure Science and Technology (MIST), Nonofo Molefhi to the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC), Thapelo Olopeng yesterday.
The stadium, which cost nearly P300 million, though it was initially allocated P175 million, is the biggest in the country with a capacity of 26,500.
Additional costs have been attributed to engaging new contractors to finish the project.
The initial contractor, Tuwana Construction and consultants had their contract terminated for poor workmanship in June 2012.
Construction began in March 2008 and was scheduled to be completed by February 2010.
The new contractor China Jiangsu, together with other sub-contractors, were paid P124 million to complete the project. MIST assumed the supervision of China Jiangsu and the company’s supporting contractors.
Molefhi said despite delays in completing the project, the ministry has learnt vital lessons.
“This is one project that has helped us put our house in order as a ministry.
We have learnt that proper project planning, conceptualisation and effective management through adequate project resourcing, are some key factors that should never be compromised or taken for granted,” he said.
Molefhi further said the government takes part of the blame for not delivering the project on time.
He explained that the project was fast-tracked to prepare for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa though the ministry did not have the internal capacity to supervise construction.
Instead he said the ministry left the main supervision to consultants, which is why the initial contractor failed to do a proper job.
Molefhi said his ministry is working on improving project management capacity of its employees to manage major projects to reduce reliance on private project managers.
This, he said, would help government to manage construction projects effectively to avoid mistakes that happened in the construction of the Francistown Stadium.
Olopeng said his Ministry would make sure the stadium is well looked after and be put to good use.
“Our intention is to partner with specialists to take care of the facility,” Olopeng said.
He said his ministry would make sure the facility is affordable to those who want to use it.
Francistown mayor Sylvia Muzila said the stadium would not only help the sports fraternity, but also improve the infrastructure of the city that is needed to attract investors.
The Francistown stadium boasts of CCTV cameras and an e-ticketing system, which were not in the original design. The stadium is expected to host a clash between Premiership giants, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Extension Gunners in the new season.