06 Jul 2016

Government contributed over P17million to the water and infrastructure development project at Phakalane Estates which constituted half of the project cost.

Answering a question in Parliament Tuesday, Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Prince Maele said the other half of the cost was covered by Phakalane Estates.

He indicated that the bulk of the infrastructure development in Phakalane was undertaken by the private developer being Phakalane Estates.

“Government’s contribution to infrastructure development at Phakalane was restricted to upgrading of three (3) pump stations and associated piping works as well as necessary electrical works to facilitate connection of 516 Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) houses,” he said.

Mr Maele further informed Parliament that at the time of carrying out the project, government did not have a policy concerning partnership in private property development.

“But, in recent past a PPP policy in land servicing and housing development was adopted by Cabinet in April 2015,” said the minister.

He noted that government made the contribution because of its direct interest in that it had invested in BHC properties in an effort to facilitate housing delivery.

Mr Maele said Batswana have benefited through BHC providing additional 516 units to the housing stock.

“In addition to increasing the overall stock, all the 516 houses have been sold to Batswana and citizen companies,” he concluded.

Member of Parliament for Gabane/Mmankgodi Major General Pius Mokgware had asked the minister to brief Parliament on the number of all water projects and government infrastructure development at Phakalane.

He also asked the minister to state the total contribution by government, government policy regarding contribution in private property development, reasons why government made the contributions and how Batswana would benefit. ENDS