Shoddy stadia work to cost taxpayer extra P83m

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Tuesday August 21, 2012 00:00

 

According to a supplementary budget laid before parliament last Friday, an additional P62. 1million is required to complete construction work at the Francistown Stadium, while rehabilitation work is on-going at the Lobatse and Serowe Sports Complexes. The deputy Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Gloria Semolokae said the development will see an increase in the annual provision of P83.1 million for the sports and recreation project.The bulk of the requested funds would be channelled towards the completion on the Francistown Stadium which requires P60 million.

The construction of the stadium started in March 2008 and was scheduled for completion in January 2010: 'Due to poor performance of the contractor and the consultants, the contract was terminated. The project experienced design deficiencies which rendered certain areas of building works unusable,' the deputy minister said.The deficiencies will now be corrected and initial works completed, Semolokae told parliament.The Lobatse Sports Complex requires an additional P17. 6million to improve the functionality and durability of the facility. The construction of the project started in March 2008 and was scheduled for completion by January 2010. However, during construction, black cotton soil was discovered on site which necessitated further adjustments on the design and changes in the scope of the project, adding to further delays.

The Stadium was eventually handed over to Government in October 2010. However, within a few months of being handed over, a defect was discovered which the contractor took responsibility for and had to rectify at their own cost. After rectification of the defect, it was also realised that there was need to undertake other works which are necessary for the functionality and durability of the facility It is expected that the works will take three months to complete.  For the Serowe Sports Complex P5.5million is needed to rehabilitate the facility which was built on black cotton soil. This resulted in severe damage to the structure. The Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology (MIST) has advised that the facility can be rehabilitated using appropriate technology. Semolokae said this was motivated by the realisation that the soils conditions have stabilised and the main structures have settled. The additional funds would be sourced from the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture under Cultural Development and Performing Arts project amounting to P62.1million.