04 Aug 2015

Selebi Phikwe Economic Development Unit (SPEDU) has been transformed into a company.

The transformation would expedite the decision making process and improve operational efficiency, Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Vincent Seretse told Parliament. 

Mr Seretse said SPEDU was limited by guarantee with a board of directors, which was overseeing some of its initiated or facilitated projects.

He said those projects included the Motloutse farm electrification project, Pula Steel manufacturing and casting project, horticulture packaging and processing plant, Platjan bridge construction, management plan for Dikgatlhong, Letsibogo, and Thune Dams and the refurbishment of the Selibe Phikwe airport.

“The Motloutse farm electrification project will provide access to more affordable power to horticulture farms along the bank of the Motloutse River. Forty-four horticulture farms have been identified for electrification along the Motloutse River. A total of 800 hectares will be available for horticulture production following full provision of power,” Mr Seretse said.

He further said the Botswana Power Corporation had completed the designs of the project and had engaged two companies to erect the power line. 

He said a total of P9, 934, 120.85 was paid in March 2015 for power connection along the 44 km stretch.

“It is estimated that the power connection for the 800 hectares of land will create up to 2 500 direct jobs once the envisaged clusters are in full operation,” he said.

Mr Seretse said the entry level plant for the horticulture packaging and processing plant would assist producers to reduce post-harvest losses through value addition entailing packaging and processing of vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, onions, beetroots and butternuts.

“Plans to set up the processing plant in Selibe Phikwe are advanced. Partitioning of the building that will house the plant and electricity connection to the site is complete. The installation of equipment is planned for completion by end of September 2015, while the plant test run is scheduled for end of October 2015,” he said.

Mr Seretse said farmers were being encouraged to intensify production so that vegetables were available when the plant was ready. 

He said the total cost of the project was P10.9 million with projected employment of 30.

On the Platjan Bridge construction, Mr Seretse said the a bridge would be constructed across the Motloutse River into South Africa, at the Botswana/South Africa border post of Platjan, thereby improving access into the SPEDU region and other areas.

“A total amount of P100 million has been approved for the project, which is expected to be completed in 18 months’ time from September 2015. A tender award is expected by end of August 2015, while construction of the bridge is anticipated to commence in September 2015,” he said.

He further said the scoping reports for Thune and Letsibogo dams management plans had been expected at the end of July 2015 (Thune) and August 10, 2015 (Letsibogo).

“The management places for Thune and Letsibogo dams are expected to be completed in March 2016 and January 2016 respectively. The management plan for Dikgatlhong dam has not yet commenced. However, a service provider has been identified and contract negotiations are ongoing. The service provider is expected to start work in August 2015,” he said.

Mr Seretse further said the Pula Steel manufacturing and casting project was a private sector initiative supported by SPEDU. 

Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, had inquired about the progress made by SPEDU and the projects initiated and/or spearheaded by SPEDU. Ends