- Bango Trading committed to completing the projects
- Asks Department to determine claims files 1 and half years ago
- The claims should have been determined within 42 days
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. Awarded to Bango Trading in 2022, the 70-kilometer road was expected to be a flagship project, promising improved connectivity and economic uplift for the region. But nearly three years into the contract, the project remains far from completion, hampered by a series of bureaucratic and technical complications that have left government officials, contractors, and local communities at odds.
From the outset, the Department of Roads and Bango Trading appeared aligned in their vision. Yet, the reality on the ground quickly diverged from initial plans. Upon mobilization, it became clear that the original scope underestimated the road’s condition. Instead of routine maintenance, the road had deteriorated to a state requiring full rehabilitation—a fact that the Department admitted only after work had commenced. This mismatch forced a complete overhaul of the project design, a process that took nine months to finalize, pushing 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.
The process of redesign and approval became a prolonged saga. After the Department selected a design firm, the new plans were submitted for approval in February 2024, but only received the green light in June 2024. This delay was compounded by the Department’s failure to promptly address contract claims submitted by Bango Trading. Under the FIDIC (International Federation of Consulting Engineers) contract standards, claims such as standing charges or price adjustments should be determined within 42 days. However, Bango’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 role of FIDIC standards in this context is particularly significant. FIDIC contracts are designed to balance risks and responsibilities between employers and contractors, providing mechanisms to address delays, variations, and disputes efficiently. The failure to adhere to these standards undermines the contractual framework intended to protect all parties and ensure project success. This disconnect between theory and practice on the Gumare-Sepopa project reflects broader challenges in public infrastructure management in the region, including governance, capacity, and transparency
Moffat James, Managing Director of Bango Trading, has been vocal about the impact of these administrative delays. He argues that the Department’s prolonged inaction not only stalls the project but also unfairly tarnishes Bango’s reputation, as narratives circulate accusing the contractor of causing the delays. The truth, he insists, is quite the opposite. Bango’s claims stem from legitimate price adjustments, including a doubling of diesel costs from P8 to P16 per liter mid-project, which the government has yet to reimburse. This failure to settle claims has suffocated the contractor financially, threatening the company’s ability to maintain steady progress.
The misunderstanding around “variations” has also fueled confusion. Variations typically arise from inaccurate initial project quantifications by engineers, not from contractor demands. James emphasizes that the Department provided a flawed project scope from the beginning, which led to the need for a redesigned plan and subsequent claims. The mischaracterization of these claims as contractor-initiated variances misleads public opinion and distracts from the Department’s accountability.
Despite these hurdles, Bango Trading remains committed to completing the Gumare-Sepopa road project. The company’s track record speaks volumes: it has previously delivered four major road projects in the region on time and within budget, including the Maun-Toteng road (2012-2014), Sehithwa-Tsau road (2007-2008), Toteng-Sehithwa road (2009), and Habu-Nokaneng road (2015). James stresses that the completion dates for Gumare-Sepopa—October 2025 for package one and December 2025 for package two—are contingent on the Department’s fulfillment of its financial obligations to maintain contractor cash flow.
The Department of Roads, meanwhile, faces criticism for its project management approach. 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. In the context of Gumare-Sepopa, these systemic issues are evident. The nine-month delay in revising the scope and the more than one-year lag in claim determinations highlight gaps in oversight and responsiveness that cripple project momentum.
Local communities and stakeholders remain caught in the crossfire of these delays. The road’s poor condition continues to hamper mobility, affecting trade, access to services, and daily life. The project’s slow progress fuels frustration and skepticism about government capacity to deliver on infrastructure promises. For many, the road’s rehabilitation is not just a matter of convenience but a critical factor in regional development and poverty alleviation.
Looking ahead, the resolution of the Gumare-Sepopa road delays hinges on the Department of Roads adopting a more proactive and transparent approach. Meeting FIDIC contractual obligations, particularly around claims processing, and honoring financial commitments would restore contractor confidence and reignite project momentum. Equally important is ensuring that project scopes reflect ground realities from the outset, reducing the need for costly redesigns and variations.
Bango Trading’s plea to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works encapsulates the broader need for accountability and collaboration in Botswana’s public infrastructure projects. Their 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. The road to Gumare-Sepopa may be long and winding, but with renewed commitment and effective governance, it can still reach completion and deliver on its promise.
In the end, the Gumare-Sepopa road project is more than a construction challenge; it is a test of institutional capacity and integrity. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Botswana’s public infrastructure agencies can learn from these setbacks and build a more reliable future for the nation’s roads and its people.
