�Clueless officers� supervise billion pula gov�t projects
Bame Piet | Thursday September 7, 2017 13:15
Deputy permanent secretary, Ephraim Balebetse and acting deputy permanent secretary (Transport) Orapeleng Mosegi found themselves in ‘extra-hot’ seats when the Parliamentary Committee on Information and Communication Technology demanded them to account for the Charleshill-Ncojane road project; Kazungula Bridge project; Mohembo Bridge project and Gaborone-Boatle road projects with a total of over P3 billion.
Balebetse told the committee that the ministry has encountered serious leadership challenges since it was established in 2009 and has had seven ministers to date. It is even worse for permanent secretaries who come and go within a short period of time. So far, the current permanent secretary has been with the ministry for about six months and is still familiarising himself with government operations and structures, and was unable to appear before the committee because he had to travel abroad.
The two officers irked the committee when they could not account for the progress of the Charleshill-Ncojane road because they were not given enough time to find information. Whilst they could not account for the progress of the project and the amount paid so far, they said the project has stalled because of a dispute between the contractor Zac Construction and the consultants, which started three months ago. The contractor accuses the supervising consultants of being conflicted after they failed to win the tender, the officers told the committee. Furthermore, they said the contractor is adamant that he will not work with the consultants, and that they do not have an idea on how to solve the impasse.
However, committee member Noah Salakae put it to the officers that the dispute started six months ago and that the contractor has engaged sub contractors. “So you do not have the basic information on when the contractor was awarded the tender; how much the project costs; whether there are any overruns; and the progress and completion dates? Why should we believe that you are the right people for your positions? What are you doing in your offices?” asked a visibly disappointed and annoyed Salakae. Neither Phenyo Butale, Machana Shamukuni nor Sethomo Lelatisitswe were impressed with the officers accusing them of being clueless on public projects for which they are paid huge salaries to implement and monitor.
Balebetse said the ministry is faced with a serious challenge of lack of skilled manpower in project management to a point that less qualified officers are engaged as project managers to monitor on site. The two officers tried to shift the heat to the Director of Roads saying he is the one who knows what is going on with the projects. But the committee would not entertain such excuse saying a junior officer should account to his seniors who should then account to Parliament. The committee also wondered whether the ministry officials ever hold management meetings and whether these projects are ever discussed.
The officers requested a postponement of their meeting for them to familiarise themselves with the projects that they are supposed to be monitoring. The chairman of the committee Samuel Rantuana reluctantly granted the postponement after Mephato Reatile stated that what was before them was worse than chasing a rat in a dark room.