7 and 8 - Government of Botswana

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able possibility in Technical Auditing. In such a case, it will be up to the Client to weigh up the advice of both parties and to reach his own, independent conclusions. - As an independent professional carrying out his duties in an impartial manner and in accordance with his prescribed Terms of Reference, the Auditor’s role should not be in confl ict with the Supervising Engineer. The Auditor’s report should be objective and fully quantifi ed. All parties should be provided with an opportunity to respond to the Audit Report. In principle, the Auditor’s role vis-à-vis the Supervising Engineer is no different from that of one consultant reviewing the design of another. ● The type of investigations undertaken by the Auditor and the Supervising Engineer are, in general, quite different. There may be some areas of overlap, for example, check testing of materials and assessment of workmanship, but the Auditor’s role goes well beyond check testing of materials and includes checks on compliance with a range of technical and contractual matters, including. ■ Initial audit: - project management issues and construction methodologies. ■ Intermediate audit - conformance with specifi cation and matters of effectiveness. ■ Final audit – conformance with all aspects of the contract. 4. SUMMARY AND CLOSURE 4.1 Summary of Key Issues The summary of key observations and issues emanating from the workshop was presented by the Workshop Facilitator, Mr. Mike Pinard, and are as follows: 4.1.1 Guideline No. 8 ● The use of certain terminology, such as “marginal” “non-standard” or “relaxed standards”, as applied to local surfacing aggregates, can convey negative signals which can be very misleading. For example, a material that is marginal in terms of strength may fail when carrying high traffi c volumes with a high percentage of heavy vehicles, but may often perform entirely satisfactorily in a low volume road situation in a rural area. Ultimately, the selection of aggregate should be based on the concept of its “fi tness for purpose”. ● Many of the current specifi cations for surfacing aggregate apply to “ideal” materials found in the temperate climates where conditions are very different to those prevailing in Botswana. Rigid application of these specifi cations often rules out the use of many satisfactory local materials. Thus, careful selection and testing of local materials is required in order to obtain a basic understanding of their properties as a basis for applying appropriate specifi cations as recommended in the Guideline. ● Pending the revision of the BRDM and the Standard Specifi cation for Road and Bridge Works, deviation from the current specifi cations, for example the 10% FACT, should be considered on a case-by-case basis during the design stage and not after the project has been let when contentious contractual issues pertaining to a change of project specifi cation can arise. The workshop concluded that a 10 % FACT of 150 – 180 kN (depending on traffi c) would be appropriate for most of the roads in Botswana. ● Environmental issues are assuming greater importance and the continued use of gravel for re-gravelling purposes is unsu- stainable. This will engender a need to consider carefully the use of low cost surfacings in which aggregates of relatively low quality can be used with an appropriate type of seal. This ahs proved to be the case on many road projects in Botswana. 4.1.2 Guideline No. 7 ● Technical Auditing of road projects is assuming greater importance in Botswana than hitherto and complements the Financial Auditing that is currently undertaken of publicly funded projects. It seeks to ascertain whether the Government and the general public get “value for money” and, in so doing, engenders greater accountability in the expenditure of public funds. Proceedings of Roads Department Workshop June 2003, Guidelines 7 and 8 17
● The Technical Audit is carried out by an independent, appropriately qualifi ed and experienced organisation in a manner prescribed in the Guideline and according to the requirements of the Model Terms of Reference for Technical Audits. All parties to the contract are audited and there must be no interference by any party to the audit process. ● Technical Auditing does not duplicate the role or function of the Supervising Engineer. The audit process entails undertaking a number of prescribed activities that are carried out intermittently during the course of the project from pre-construction (review of tender documentation, design and drawings, specifi cations and BoQ) to post-construction (certifi cates, fi nal measurement and fi nal certifi cates.). ● An option to the appointment of an external Technical Auditor would be the establishment of an in-house Technical Audit Unit. However, Roads Department does not currently have the resources for such a unit and recourse to the use of an external auditor will be necessary in the short to medium term. 4.2 Closing Remarks Mr. Pinard’s closing remarks may be summarized as follows: ● Attendance: Some eighty-two delegates have attended the seminar. This is testimony not only to the importance that they attach to the subject matter of the Guidelines, but also a demonstration of their wish to interact with other stakeholders in the roads sector in a manner that can only be benefi cial to all. ● Constructive dialogue: There has been open and constructive dialogue and interaction amongst all stakeholders. A number of important issues have been raised which is a refl ection of the knowledge base of the delegates. This has engendered much discussion in the course of which consensus has been reached on most, if not all, of the issues raised. ● Use of the Guidelines: The real value of the Guidelines will only be realised if they are properly used by stakeholders. In this regard, the initiator of the Guidelines, the Roads Department, has an important role to play in terms of continually promoting the use of these Guidelines amongst all stakeholders. ● Tribute to organizers: Finally, the organizers must be commended for their foresight in convening what all would agree has been a worthwhile, benefi cial seminar for all stakeholders. 18 Proceedings of Roads Department Workshop June 2003, Guidelines 7 and 8
Page 1 and 2: MINISTRY OF WORKS AND TRANSPORT Min
Page 3 and 4: Ministry of Works and Transport Roa
Page 5 and 6: FOREWORD Guideline no 7 Technical A
Page 7 and 8: TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION .
Page 9 and 10: The two Guidelines being presented
Page 11 and 12: 2.3.2 Scope and Use of Guideline 10
Page 13 and 14: 2.3.5 Bituminous Surfacings 12 Issu
Page 15 and 16: 3. PRESENTATION OF GUIDELINE NO. 7
Page 17: 16 - It is fully agreed that the au
Page 21 and 22: ANNEX 1 PROGRAMME 20 ��
Page 23: Name Organisation Postal Address E.

7 and 8 - Government of Botswana

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