Gape & Margaret - Botswana Construction WP No. 4 - tips

To some extent, firm size determines geographical coverage. A total of 58% ofconstruction companies were registered in Gaborone (CSO, 2000). A studyconducted by Ngowi, Iwisi and Rwelamila in 1997 revealed that firms registered inthe lower classes or categories (A, B and C) tended to concentrate their operationsmainly in Gaborone. According to the study, logistical problems involved in movingpersonnel, equipment and materials to various parts of the country make it difficult forsmaller firms to spread out too widely.The study also made the following conclusions:• Lack of transport and building materials in some parts of the country alsorestrict small firms from spreading their operations widely. Bigger firms(categories D and E) generally do not have transport problems because theyusually have large fleets of freight vehicles and often own warehouses fromwhich they can mobilize and store large quantities of materials for projectslocated in distant places.• In general, foreign firms have accumulated experience over time; can accessskilled personnel, equipment and machinery outside the local marketcomparatively easier than domestic firms. As a result of this competitiveadvantage, foreign firms tended to participate more in complex projects thanlocal firms. The findings of the study are consistent with the recent contractingof Murray and Roberts, a multi-national building corporation by Governmentfor the construction of the Department of Taxes multi-storey building.3.4 RegulationRegulatory issues in Botswana’s construction sector are left to the control of severalgovernment departments. These are departments in the Ministry of Works andTransport and include the Department of Architectural and Building Services, theDepartment of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Services and the Departmentof Roads. The Ministry of Local Government (the Department of Local Governmentand Development) also plays some advisory role to local authorities for constructionrelated matters. The PPADB manages the public procurement system on behalf ofGovernment.(a) The Department of Architectural and Building Services (DABS)The Department of Architectural and Building Services is in charge of theconstruction work for buildings. Some of the stated objectives of the departmentinclude:• Design, construction and maintenance of all Government buildings;• Assist in the development of the indigenous construction industry; and,• Render assistance to local authorities by providing advice and guidance andmanage building design and construction standards through the BuildingControl Regulations7