23 Apr 2013

Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Keletso Rakhudu has told Parliament that Plot 2491 Extension 9 in Gaborone is owned by Residential Holdings (RH) (PTY) (LTD); a total 100 per cent subsidiary of the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) Limited.

Mr Rakhudu said the construction of the multi-residential units in the plot started in 2010 and completed in March 2013 at a total cost of over P6 million.

He said the units remained unoccupied due to the fact that during construction, the project experienced substantial delayed associated with mainly poor workmanship by the contractor and failure to adhere to the agreed programme and specifications.

He said it later became apparent that the contractor was not able to complete the project to the required quality and specification.

As a result, he said the parties then entered into negotiations to resolve the problem and amicably reached a conclusion to part ways in March 2012.

Mr Rakhudu said thereafter a selective tender was done where another contractor was engaged to complete the outstanding works.

“Residential Holdings (Pty) Ltd is currently negotiating with two potential tenants following completion of project,” he said.

Gaborone Central MP Dumelang Saleshando had wanted to know whether it was true that Plot 2491 in Gaborone was owned by BDC.

Mr Saleshando also wanted to know whether the construction of multi-residential units on the plot was undertaken as well as to state the completion date and total costs for developments.

In addition, he wanted to know why the units remained unoccupied to date and whether any maintenance work has to be undertaken on the units since their completion and the cost of such maintenance. ENDS