By Neo Kolane
Construction of the National Art Museum is 85 percent complete, with the remaining 15 percent reserved for specialist sub-contractors.
The project of the museum construction began in December 2015 and was expected to be complete in December 2017 but has suffered a significant delay.
The actual construction of the project started at a cost amounting to M111-million but as of now the cost has ballooned to over M170-million; it is projected to skyrocket to M240-million.
Speaking during a tour of the museum today, the site agent of Sigma Construction, Tlotliso Liphoto said there have been challenges that the project faced, such as cash flow problems.
“Getting funds from elsewhere was also a challenge, as well as changing of the design and the specialist to be attached to subcontractors after the lockdown, which resulted in an increase in prices of materials for construction.
“But we believe that we will finish the project before the end of the year, which is the deadline for completion,” Liphoto said.