Minister of Transport and Public Works, Eric Molale has lamented the absence of an overall strategy or standard framework for addressing facilities management and upkeep of Government buildings.

“I am aware that maintenance of Public Infrastructure such as classrooms, hospitals, police stations needs to be improved. This is a matter that is receiving attention within my Ministry.

“I have personally visited some of the infrastructure and my Ministry has developed several interventions and strategies to prioritise maintenance to ensure longevity and utility of Government infrastructure,” the minister told Parliament.

He indicated that the Ministry is also in the process of continuous improvement to deal with maintenance issues. He explained that his Ministry continuously undertakes condition survey to inform maintenance needs and is at advanced stages of developing Facilities Management framework together with its critical supporting documents, namely the; Maintenance Management Guidelines; Facilities Classification guidelines and Condition Assessment guidelines.

"These guidelines seek to provide direction in ensuring functionality, comfort, safety, and efficiency in the maintenance of Government Buildings. There is room for private sector players to come on board as it is Government's policy to involve the private sector in activities that can be better done by the private sector.

“My Ministry intends to use capacity and expertise within some of the parastatals to partner with the private sector to undertake the necessary maintenance, " he said.

Molale told Parliament that additional capacity will also be sought from existing Government programmes and institutions such as Brigades, Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF) and the revised Ipelegeng.

He said the Facilities Management Framework, once adopted allows for: long term maintenance contractors who would be charged with overseeing the facility management of a particular facility by hiring local contractors to carry out maintenance; and engagement of skilled individuals in contractual basis to provide handyman work within the locality.

It will also include unlocking of opportunities for construction industry value chain, as those companies, suppliers, service providers and individuals at districts would benefit immensely from such an arrangement creating economic diversification.

“In addition, the Framework intends to ensure that: there is continuous improvement in asset planning, maintenance procedures and inherent risk management matters incidental thereto; Government buildings are adequately maintained”, he said.

He implored Ministries to take a more strategic role in the maintenance of government buildings, with continued guidance and regulatory oversight from his Ministry.

Molale was responding to a question from MP for Gaborone North Mpho Balopi who asked the minister whether he is aware that public infrastructure is generally dilapidated and not well maintained and if so; to state: why maintenance of Government infrastructure, especially buildings, is often delayed, compared to private sector infrastructure; and if there are any plans to streamline processes, especially the procurement process, with a view to reducing the length of time taken before damaged or worn-out infrastructure is attended to.