P1.9 billion for 27km road

DIS halted tender award to launch investigations Tender at evaluation stage - PPADB, MTC Transport Ministry looking for additional funds as project funding increases from P1.4 billion to P1.7 billion

Controversy continues to shadow the construction of the 27KM Mogoditshane- Gabane- Mankgodi Junction Road since 2019 when the Directorate of Intelligence and Security ( DIS) halted the award of a tender under the pretext of investigating possible corruption.

The CONSTRUCTION OF PULA SPAR MOGODITSHANE- GABANE - MMANKGODI TENDER NUMBER WORK 7/ 17/ 9( 1) was initially budgeted for P1.4 billion as per the Project Engineer’s estimates at the time of Tender Closing on April 24th of 2019.

However, investigations have revealed that the budget for the Dual Lining Road ( dual carriage) has now been increased to P1.7 billion with a likelihood of reaching P1.9 billion.

Sources have revealed to this publication that while the DIS has completed its investigations and found no flaws, the Directorate is plotting to have the tender awarded to its preferred Chinese Contractor with close ties within the government enclave.

According to information passed to this publication, Pula Consulting, which was appointed as lead Consultants, did the evaluation and recommended as follows: CC/ SS JV 96.5 percent; MGM JV TIEC/ CRIG 83.5 percent; CRSG- RAUBEX JV 82.6 percent; CCECC- LM- ZT JV 81.7 percent; and CFHEC & COLIC JV 79.8 percent.

The PPADB approved this recommendation on the 17th of February 2021. DIS allegedly intervened and instructed the Ministry of Transport and Communications to suspend the award saying they are investigating the tender. A two- man team of the DIS was assigned to investigate the matter. It is alleged that the DIS told the Ministry that OP has instructed them to investigate the tender, an instruction they refused to put in writing.

“The DIS officials took the tender document from the Ministry. After some time, they came back and gave the Ministry and consultant their recommendations that were different from that of the Consultant.

“The ministry has been at pains to explain to stakeholders why the tender was suspended. They wanted the DIS to explain to the stakeholders but the DIS said the Ministry must do it. This cancellation of the award is going to attract price escalation,” a source revealed.

Sources in the construction industry say that the DIS wants this tender to be awarded to a Chinese company. “Although they said there is corruption at the award of this tender, DCEC is not aware of these investigations by the DIS,” added another source.

In an excuse for the delay of the award of the tender, the ministry is said to have indicated that since the budget has gone up to P1.7 billion, it is still sourcing funds to cover the P300 million excess of the initial budget.

The consultant and his evaluation team were allegedly summoned by the DIS a fortnight ago, trying to justify the delay of the award as approved by PPADB. While there are claims from the PPADB and the parent ministry to the effect that the tender is at the evaluation stage, records from both Kweneng District Council and Mogoditshane/ Thamaga Sub Council show that the tender has since been awarded although the name of the contractor has not been disclosed. According to records seen by this publication, PPADB is still waiting for the ministry to avail Form 3 which speaks to the sourcing of additional funds. Botswana Guardian has also established that the road is expected to be done in two Phases due to the unavailability of funds. According to the Mogoditshane/ Thamaga Sub District Development Committee Report, dated 9th - 13th August 2021, the planned date for the start of the construction was July 2019.

The Report indicates that the status is that the PPADB on 29th April 2021 stood down the award of the tender pending the Ministry ( MTC) to submit PPADB Form 3 which is a tool confirming the availability of funds. The ministry, according to the Report is still addressing the matter.

PPADB could not be drawn into responding to the questions regarding the tender. “We are not in a position to answer the questions raised as the tender is still under adjudication and therefore remains confidential in terms of Section 91 of the Procurement and Asset Disposal Act,” Public Relations and Education Manager Charles Keikotlhae said. Ministry of Transport and Communications through its Public Relations Office said it is not aware of the suspension of this tender. And on that basis, the ministry said it would not comment on whether the DIS declined to put their instruction in writing and if the suspension of the award of the tender was communicated with stakeholders. It further stated that the tender is at the adjudication stage with PPADB. Pula Consulting declined to comment on the issues referring this publication to the Director of Roads Department. Both DIS and the DCEC had not responded to questionnaires sent through their public relations offices and the follow- ups made at press time.