Mmegi

Traversing the rocky P2.7bn error

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KANYE: The Director of Technical Services in the Ministry of Water and Human Settlement, Kaboyamodimo Raitoko, recently told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that initially, the project was awarded at the cost of P724 million, but the project’s total cost has since ballooned to P3.4 billion due to miscalculation.

It was revealed that the consultant had rated the rock density at just eight percent, whilst in reality, it was closer to 80%. “This omission is unjustifiable. Anyone on site can see that the area is rocky, even without excavation; rocks are visible on the surface. In my view, this error should have been detected early on,” Raitoko told the PAC.

After the revelation, the Mmegi team travelled to the Southern district village, which has since turned into a construction site because of the trenching, blasting, pipe installation, and backfilling happening right in the centre of the Bangwaketse tribe capital.

Editor's Comment
Justice delayed is development denied

The P300 million internal roads tender is a case study. A bidder’s complaint revealed alleged irregularities. A tribunal ordered a re-evaluation.The council and the initial winner appealed to the High Court. Now, the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, frustrated by the delay, writes to the council suggesting the tender be cancelled, and an alternative procurement model be explored, while the matter is still before the courts....

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