Dreaming of a smokeless, sparkling Selebi Phikwe
Onalenna Kelebeile | Friday June 5, 2015 15:33
Interacting with stakeholders in the mining town recently, Mokubung said he is looking into bringing big investments in the area and this will be done in collaboration with other stakeholders.
On his to-do-list is an issue that literally has been smoke in the eyes of Phikwe residents for years: The smoke in the eyes of Phikwe residents!
Since its commissioning in 1973, BCL Mine has continuously emitted a steady cloud of sulphuric gas from its smelter operations. The 154 metre long “exhaust” pipe has breathed the dusty gas over everything in Phikwe, tinting the atmosphere as if needlessly reminding residents and visitors that the mine is the town’s first citizen. Mokubung wants to try and address the challenge of BCL Mine emissions that has been scaring investors away. He said as SPEDU, they must act on the concerns of the Mine emissions and work with BCL, the Selebi-Phikwe Town Council (SPTC) and other stakeholders to stem the smoke.
“If it costs some billions, then let us take the proposals to the right authorities. We will have to do economic, technological and financial analyses. “Studies have already been done, but we need to compile and consolidate them in a proper way that will convince authorities that the smoke ought to be stopped. “I made a promise when I assumed the office that I would pursue this.”
He also added that he has received several ideas on the diversification of Selebi-Phikwe’s economy and he imagines a situation where he will approach the SPTC and the land authorities to request for an area to establish a Central Business District.
According to the new CEO, this does not necessarily need to be in the town centre but land has to be identified, designed and serviced.
“These are some of the things I will have to propose to my board and it will depend on whether it will be accepted. But hopefully because of the urge, inspiration and the drive that I have, some of these things can be done,” he said.
He added that the Platjan Bridge, whose construction is expected to start on September 15 this year, has the potential to carry heavy traffic from South Africa that can pass through the SPEDU region.
“We should have big hotels setting up in Selebi-Phikwe. If we provide some concessions for investors they can come and provide such facilities. We should dream big and we will of course have to rationalise those dreams in the process to come to realistic projects,” he added.
He explained that the Platjan Bridge project experienced delays because the tendering process did not go right. A sum of P100 million has been approved for the project and tender evaluation is ongoing.
Mokubung revealed that another tender - for the refurbishment of the Selebi-Phikwe Airport – was awarded in May and is due to be complete by August. The refurbishment will avert its closure.
He said this is one of the projects that can generate imports and SPEDU’s aim is to use the airport for commercial purposes.
“There is nothing wrong in enticing a car assembly plant to come and set up in Selebi-Phikwe. If it means bringing concessions to lure investors, let us do so. We can turn Selebi-Phikwe into a thriving metropolis that can contribute to the GDP of the country,” he said.
An amount of P4.5 million was approved for the project under the Re-Employment Account in May 2013 and was followed by a feasibility study that was completed in April this year. The project is believed to have the potential to generate imports.
Mokubung further noted that Pula Steel Manufacturing and Casting Project is well on track with the first production planned for August this year. He added that the project investment increased from P40.8 million to P89.1 million, due to changes in the scope of the project. The new scope envisages increasing daily production capacity from 80 to 240 tonnes. “The scope expanded because the output has been envisaged to be huge. That is why the expansion brought in the delays. It is however, moving on properly,” he said.
The first phase that is expected to be complete by December this year will employ 500 people while full production is expected in 2020 with employment level of 1,300 workers.
The CEO also highlighted that the National Food Research and Testing Centre (NAFTEC) and the Office of the President are currently discussing ways to secure additional funds to meet the working capital for the Horticulture Packaging and Processing Plant.
Contractors for partitioning the building are on site and are to complete the work in June. Electrical works to upgrade the system to meet the project’s power requirements will be completed soon while the installation of equipment is expected to end mid June.
“We should exist to regenerate, expand and diversify the town’s economy and we need the support of all stakeholders to achieve this and the achievements realised should be a collective effort,” he noted.
He further said the development of the management plans for Letsibogo and Thune Dams has already started while the one for Dikgatlhong Dam is at the tender stage. He said SPEDU and Botswana Tourism Organisation are in dialogue to ensure that a suitable service provider is engaged within a reasonable timeframe. The inception reports for Thune and Letsibogo Dams was approved by the reference group in March this year and consultants for both projects are engaged with stakeholders to identify their need and incorporate it as part of the scoping for strategic Environment Impact Assessment (EIA).
“The SPEDU region has a huge potential for waterfront tourism, resorts and tourism farming projects. We will benchmark to try and adapt to our situation here to generate output and diversify the economy,” he noted.
Mokubung further informed stakeholders that the Motloutse Farm electrification project is currently going through a design process with the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) that will be followed by the tendering process.
The designs will be completed by end of July. An amount of P12.8 million for a 44 kilometre-long electric power line along Motloutse River was approved and financed from the Re-Employment Account in 2012. Forty-four horticulture farms have been identified for this project.
“SPEDU economic regeneration programme has now taken off and we expect to see a vibrant economy driven by the efforts and energy of all stakeholders, a thriving private sector playing its role as a major investor to enhance employment creation and to enhance quality through inclusion of all members of the regional community,” he added.