25 Nov 2015

Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) has successfully completed and handed over 10 house units costing P10 million to Botswana Prisons Service.

The units comprise eight three-bedroomed houses with fitted kitchens, living rooms and toilets room for the BPS staff.

The other two are high cost three-bedroomed houses with study rooms and fitted kitchens, for the Commissioner and his deputy.

Handing over the houses recently, BHC chief executive officer, Mr Reginald Motswaiso said his organisation and BPS shared a good relationship spanning two years where they had successfully undertaken a number of projects over the period on their behalf.

“We have in the past two years successfully delivered a total of two blocks of houses for BPS staff here in Gaborone Village, the project was completed early last year,” Mr Motswaiso said.

He added that they were also entrusted with yet a similar project in Francistown, which was also completed and handed over successfully as well as eight houses in Bines Drift and nine in Mahalapye in August this year.

“This is clear demonstration the client has confidence in our capabilities as a housing delivering arm of the government with the knowledge of expertise to do housing projects,” he said.

Mr Motswaiso noted the project took over 40 weeks to complete having started construction in June last year.

Ragno Construction Company, a locally owned company, was awarded the tender.

He said the idea was in line with the government’s effort towards citizen economic empowerment, hence awarding a local company the tender.

However, he said although the project was well done, they were faced with some challenges during construction of the houses associated with the issuance of a building permit by the council.

“This was due to encroachment and requirements for a cadastral survey resulting from subdivision,” he explained.

BPS commissioner, Mr Silas Motlalekgosi appreciated the good work and relationship they have had with BHC for over the years.

“No matter how small the budget, you always availed yourselves and delivered, this is therefore why will still commit and will in the future commit by carrying through this good relationship,” Mr Motlalekgosi said. 

The BPS, he said recognised that accommodation played a centrepiece in the reforms that tried to address issues of staff welfare.

He said there were projects that had been handed over which included the Gaborone flats, Francistown, among others.

Further, he indicated that the recent project handed by BHC was just a tip of the iceberg on their strategy to take advantage of the latest government scheme, the Economic Stimulus Programme.

That, he added was intended to expand BPS vision to cover other areas with accommodation challenges such as Boro, Letlhakane, Kasane, Maun, Sepopa, Ghanzi and Tsabong, among others.

He further said BPS would receive more housing units from BHC, and therefore pleaded with the staff to take care of the structures.

He applauded BHC for the good work and their timely delivery of projects. Ends