An ‘advice’ that came at a high price :: Mmegi Online

Before all the interference, the tender for the design, supply and build of water distribution network, sanitation, reticulation, telemetry and SCADA and other associated works in Maun was awarded to China Jiangsu International by the then Pocurement and Asset Disposal (PPAD) Board on October 11, 2018 for a tender sum of over P1.568 billion.

The project was necessitated by major challenges, including a severe water shortage and a lack of sewerage in Maun.

At the DIS instruction, the award was later revoked, and the tender was awarded to the second bidder, Zhengtai Group Botswana, on March 21, 2019, for the amount of over P1.873 billion. This was a shock due to the P300 million difference between the first bidder, China Jiangsu, and Zhengtai Group. Critics then indicated that it did not make economic sense for the ministry and government to choose the second bidder.