09 Dec 2015

GABORONE - Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (ODLM) has initiated a regional project called Orapa today Boteti tomorrow.

Answering a parliamentary question, Tuesday, Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Prince Maele said the project had identified four economic diversification components which included development and expansion of the Orapa Game Park, development of a business park, mining museum and expansion of the Orapa Technical College.

Mr Maele said the project covered three kilometres around the current mining lease area and an additional 23.7 hectares of land north of the mine lease area.

Additional land, he said included Airport Pan Gravels that contained alluvial diamond deposit.

He said the project would have potential benefits in terms of employment, training, tourism and recreation.

He added that the project is expected to economically empower citizens through employment and other activities generated by various projects.

Thus, he encouraged local communities to take advantage of the project and utilise existing schemes to implement projects that would enhance their livelihood.

Mr Maele said a total of 37 farmers were affected by the project of which 25 had cattle while 12 had boreholes.

Boteti East MP, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe had asked the minister to appraise the House on the Orapa Game Park expansion and Orapa Today Boteti Tomorrow projects in regard to benefits, location, citizen empowerment, community buy in and compensation.

 

Mr Lelatisitswe had also wanted to know whether the minister had considered the need for a business park to have been constructed in Letlhakane rather that the current location and the possibility of squatters in future at the current location. Ends