SPEDU economy dying a slow death
Correspondent | Tuesday June 28, 2016 16:17
Selebi-Phikwe region Manual Workers Union chairperson, Otsile Mbise said in a press conference last week that the past five years have seen a tremendous decline of population at the copper town. From about 60,000 the regional population has dwindled to the current 47,000, highlighting that this is a clear indication that investors have lost confidence in the town.
He added that this has also kept away potential investors who have interest in doing business in the town and its neighbouring villages.
When addressing the situation, Mbise pointed out that it is government’s responsibility to be in the forefront to restore SPEDU’s economy, saying this will also motivate the private sector to play its part.
“Since the government is planning the introduction of two new ministries, I believe that this can be part of the solution by bringing those ministries’ headquarters to Selebi-Phikwe,” he said.
The union leader added that venturing into tourism through utilising BCL Mine’s old sites that are no longer in use, and its steam train as
well as developing Selebi-Phikwe game park would also play a significant role in restoring the copper town’s economy.
Meanwhile, Mbise noted with concern that the current safety situation at the mine calls for immediate intervention by all critical stakeholders. He stated that the mine’s management should intensively engage with the Botswana Mine Workers Union to come up with effective measures that can address the situation.
“If the two parties don’t put aside their differences and work harmoniously, the mine is bound to continue experiencing more accidents because both parties are critical stakeholders,” he said. In addition, he implored BCL management to conduct all of its investigations transparently in order to gain back public confidence.
Furthermore, Mbise emphasised the need for counselling of mine workers and their families, something which also emerged recently in a consultative meeting between the miners and the area Member of Parliament, Dithapelo Keorapetse,
where the concerned miners revealed that the recent fatal accident that claimed four lives has negatively impacted them, thus calling for psychological intervention.
Mbise challenged political leaders to ensure the implementation of a National Policy on Safety, which he says will address a good number of safety concerns at the mine.