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Economic development

Frustration and Delay: The Gumare-Sepopa Road Project in Botswana

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Gumare-Sepopa road project, a 70-kilometer critical infrastructure development in Botswana, has become a symbol of frustration and delay, stirring controversy over who is truly responsible for the setbacks. Awarded to Bango Trading in 2022, the project was expected to improve connectivity and economic uplift for the region, but nearly three years into the contract, it remains far from completion.

Key Takeaways:

  • The project has suffered from bureaucratic and technical complications, including a series of design changes and delays in approving new plans, which have pushed back the commencement date to August 15, 2023.
  • The revised plan reduced the scope to rehabilitating a 36-kilometer stretch with shoulder widening, a method termed 'cold recycling,' which required new engineering designs that were not initially available.
  • Bango Trading's claims, some filed as early as February 2023, have languished unresolved for over a year, creating substantial cash flow problems for the contractor.
  • The Department of Roads' failure to promptly address contract claims and its prolonged inaction have been criticized for stalling the project and unfairly tarnishing Bango's reputation.
  • Moffat James, Managing Director of Bango Trading, has emphasized that the Department provided a flawed project scope from the beginning, leading to the need for a redesigned plan and subsequent claims.
  • Bango Trading remains committed to completing the Gumare-Sepopa road project, with completion dates contingent on the Department's fulfillment of its financial obligations.
  • The Department of Roads faces criticism for its project management approach, including inadequate monitoring, scope changes, and procurement inefficiencies, which contribute to delays and cost overruns.
  • Local communities and stakeholders remain caught in the crossfire of these delays, with the road's poor condition continuing to hamper mobility, affecting trade, access to services, and daily life.

Statistics:

  • 70 kilometers: The length of the Gumare-Sepopa road project.
  • 2022: The year in which the project was awarded to Bango Trading.
  • 9 months: The time it took to finalize the revised plan.
  • August 15, 2023: The new commencement date for the project.
  • 36 kilometers: The reduced scope of the revised plan.
  • February 2023: The month in which Bango Trading first filed claims, which were to remain unresolved for over a year.
  • P8 to P16 per liter: The doubling of diesel costs mid-project, which Bango Trading is yet to be reimbursed for.
  • October 2025: The proposed completion date for package one of the project.
  • December 2025: The proposed completion date for package two of the project.

Sources:

  • "The Gumare-Sepopa road project, a critical infrastructure development in Botswana, has become a symbol of frustration and delay, stirring controversy over who is truly responsible for the setbacks." (Source: Original text)
  • Bango Trading's experience serves as a case study in how delays and mismanagement can ripple across the entire project lifecycle, impacting timelines, budgets, contractor viability, and community trust. (Source: Original text)
  • Research and reports on Botswana's public works reveal chronic challenges such as inadequate monitoring, scope changes, and procurement inefficiencies, all of which contribute to delays and cost overruns. (Source: Original text)

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