Chinese Ambassador Cautions Against Shoddy Work
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday October 23, 2017 14:47
Speaking at the occasion to mark 20-year anniversary of Unik Construction Engineering, a Chinese company that has been in existence in Botswana since 1997, Yambo said the issue remains a challenge amidst strong bilateral relations that exists between Botswana and China.
He said the two countries have enjoyed strong cordial relations over the past years as reflected by the success of Unik Construction Engineering, which has grown beyond borders and employs thousands of local people.
Yambo stated that since he came to Botswana, he has read reports about issues of quality on projects handled by Chinese contractors, which he said were not a good image of all Chinese companies.
He said not all companies do shoddy jobs as most of them have successfully completed projects of high standards on time and within budget.
As such, he said Chinese companies should not be painted with the same brush because of a few who have failed to deliver high quality projects.
“I feel uneasy and embarrassed as an Ambassador. I admit that there has been issues of quality at Morupule B. It is fair to treat this as individual cases which can’t represent the image of other Chinese contractors in Botswana,” he said.
Yambo said his government has imposed strict measures of adherence and project monitoring. He said he would be monitoring projects done by Chinese contractors to make sure that they conform to the expected quality standards.
The Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Sadique Kebonang noted that the unprofessional behaviour of companies should not destabilise the relations between the two countries. He said most Chinese contractors such as Unik Construction Engineering have delivered projects on time and within budget.
At the event, Unik Construction Company donated P500, 000 to different charitable organisations. The organisations include Journey of Hope, Cheshire Foundation of Botswana, SIWAFA and Buddha Samakhee of Botswana. Each company was awarded P100, 000.