29 Jun 2016

Chobe district councillors have received the latest update about the planned Zambezi integrated agro-commercial development project with mixed feelings after the realisation that CH8 concession has been earmarked to host the project.

The land in question is 45 000 hectares wide and found within the hunting area for KALEPA communities in Chobe.  Chief land utilisation officer from Department of Crop Production, Mr Stanley Semetsa explained that the project is to be implemented as Private Public Partnership (PPP) established under Ministry of Agriculture. It is envisaged that the project will create 2 600 jobs.

Responding to the update at a full council session on Tuesday, councillor for Pandamatenga, Mr Tengenyane Tuelo argued that proper consultations had not been done with the villages in which the concession area falls under.

“We are surprised that the project abandoned the initial CH5 area since it was a hunting area, yet they are moving to another wildlife hunting zone in CH8,” he said.

He added that no thorough consultations were carried out with the community trust being KALEPA.

“How do you carry an environmental assessment on an area that has not been agreed upon,” he said.

Mr Tuelo suggested that to bring the community on board, they could instead opt to lease the land from the community trust.

Another councillor, Ms Bamphithetse Judge noted that the proposed project was feasible, but needed consultations with the community.

“If the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) had approved the environmental assessment, where would we be? The project would have been carried on without the community’s input,” she questioned.

However, the council chairman and his deputy held a different opinion, urging councillors to look at the bigger picture and the benefits that would come with hosting the project.

“Think of the opportunities that will come with having the project here and having Pandamatenga as an agricultural hub? Think of what this would mean for our people and the possibility of possibly hosting the agriculture college here in Panda,” said deputy chairperson, Mr Paul Chabaesele.

Council chairperson, Mr Mwanota Kachana warned that they would have failed the people of Chobe if they opposed the implementation of the project at CH8 arguing that the presentation was part of consultations.

“Countries are going back to agriculture and the project not only seeks to produce, but to also process the produce right from Pandamatenga, an area which has been designated as a special economic zone,” he highlighted.

He gave the project his blessings, but warned that concerns that had been brought up by the councillors should be addressed.The proposed project is to be situated on the west of Pandamatenga commercial farms. Water will be transferred from Chobe/Zambezi River for domestic water supply and agricultural usage.

Mr Semetsa noted that estimated water required was about 270 million cubic metres per year, out of 495 million cubic metres available for Botswana.

“Estimated revenue is expected to be P1.9 billion per year, including sales of processed products,” he said.

According to the feasibility study, estimated project cost of the investment is at P3.8 billion over six years without the cost of pipeline, with maintenance costs of P200 million annually including power and irrigation facilities. Ends