BHC boss bemoans lack of citizen contractor skills

CHAKALISA DUBE
Staff Writer | Monday August 26, 2013 00:00

 

He was speaking with The Monitor Business last week Wednesday at the BHC handover of 36 flats worth a hefty P36 million to the Botswana Revenue Services (BURS). BHC contracted CC Projects to construct the housing units.Motswaiso said in most cases, local construction companies have diverted advance payments meant to finance suppliers and other logistics of the projects. He said in many instances, such practices by locals has stalled the construction of projects.

 'When building firms do not manage finances properly, we directly pay suppliers as a mitigating factor. 'We also engage in close supervision of our local building contractors who we engage to do our projects and offer them advice on how they can best improve their work. This is done to address the issue of poor project management.With time I hope they (local contractors) will improve,' he said.Meanwhile, the CEO also told this publication that there is a greater need for people to understand the corporation's mandate.

Motswaiso believes that many believe  BHC's mandate is only confined to selling and renting houses to members of the public.'We have been using every opportunity at our disposal to market some of our products because people seem to be confused on what the corporation stands for. 'For example, many do not know that we can partner with them to construct residential or commercial properties for rental to third parties.People or companies can approach us with proposals if they want to partner with us in some projects and we decide together where we can sources funds and land for the proposed projects,' he said.  Partnering companies and members of the public in the construction of projects will also help the corporation diversify its portfolio, he noted.

BHC can also be engaged to coordinate construction projects by any third party but the initiative is also struggling to gain popularity around the country.'That is why I highlighted that we will be using every opportunity to take our mandate to the public so that they utilise us.' Through the public private partnership initiative, BHC developed Galo with a private investor. The corporation owns 50 percent of the investment. Also speaking with The Monitor Business, Cuzen Mesotlo who owns CC Projects said that local contractors are prone to mismanagement of funds.He concurred with Motswaiso's assertion that some local contractors often divert advance payments meant to fund construction projects.He also acknowledged that some local contractors lack the proper project management skills.