P1.7 billion Mogoditshane-Gabane road tender cancelled
The controversial Mogoditshane-Gabane-Mankgodi Junction Road project has been halted and set for re-tendering.
Mogotshane-Thamaga Sub-Council Chairperson Dux Mafoko said the construction of the 27km road which has been dogged by controversy since 2019 was to be constructed in the current financial year. However, the Ministry of Transport and Communications has taken quite long to address funding for the project.
“As you may be aware, PPADB on 29th April 2021 stood down the award of the tender for Dualing of Mogoditshane-Gabane-Mankgodi Junction road pending submission of confirmation or availability of funds. Currently, it is still disappointing to report that there is still no progress.
“The department has indicated that it has requested PPADB to cancel the tender so that the interchange at Super Save can be included in the scope,” the chairperson told the full council meeting.
Mafoko pointed out that regrettably the project will be re-tendered.
The CONSTRUCTION OF PULA SPAR MOGODITSHANE- GABANE -MMANKGODI TENDER NUMBER WOR 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 2019.
However, investigations 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.
In March this year Minister of Transport and Communications Thulaganyo Segokgo broke the news that progress on the road has hit another brick wall.
He told Parliament when presenting the 2022/23 budget for his ministry that the procurement of a contractor for construction of Mogoditshane –Gabane – Kumakwane to dual carriage standard has stalled.
According to information seen by this publication, Pula Consulting which was appointed as lead Consultants, did evaluation and recommended as follows: CC/SS JV 96.5 per cent; MGM JV TIEC/CRIG 83.5 per cent; CRSG-RAUBEX JV 82.6 per cent; CCECC-LM-ZT JV 81.7 per cent; and CFHEC & COLIC JV 79.8 per cent. The PPADB approved this recommendation on the 17th February 2021.
It emerged early this year that the tender has been awarded to Consolidated Construction Company- Stefannuti Stocks Joint Venture (CCC/SS JV) and construction was to start this year.
The construction was to get underway following successful negotiations between the ministry and the contractor to have the project varied.
The construction was expected to start after the Technical Team Report has been presented. The negotiation was with regards to the construction of an interchange at the Molepolole traffic lights, popularly called Supa Save Traffic lights. The interchange was varied and was to be done at a later stage when funds are available
According to a request made by the Ministry of Transport and Communications Title: “Request to negotiate with Consolidated Construction Company Stefannuti Stocks Joint Venture (CCC/SS JV) with respect to award of the tender for Construction of Mogoditshane – Gabane – Mmankgodi Junction Dualling Road Project – Tender NO. WOR7/17/9 (1)”, submitted on December 1st 2021 was approved by Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) sitting of the 9th December 2021.