20 Jul 2016

The Minister of Infrastructure Science and Technology, Mr Nonofo Molefhi,  has encouraged SPEDU to expedite projects   to help diversify economy of the region and create jobs.

He made this call during his meeting with the organisation recently where SPEDU chief executive officer, Dr Mokubung Mokubung, made a presentation on development plans aimed at diversifying the economy of the region.

Mr Molefhi said Selebi Phikwe region faced challenges due to the fact that the main player in the region’s economy, BCL Mine, was facing challenges. 

He also said other key players in the region’s economy such as Pula Steel Manufacturing plant were also limping.

Meanwhile, Dr Mokubung indicated that the study that his organisation was pursuing included the review the Selebi Phikwe Development Plan. 

He said the main objectives of the review of the development plan was to infuse SPEDU plan projects into the town’s developmental footprint. He also added that the idea was to align zoning of land use with economic sectors and to consider future expansion of the town to clearly mark the township boundary. He said over P2 million was approved for this project in 2012.

Dr Mokubung stated that the project to refurbish the Selebi Phikwe airport had been completed and was on defect and liability period until September 16. 

He said P4.5 million was approved in 2013 for the feasibility study. 

He explained that the project memorandum for the design and refurbishment of the Selebi Phikwe airport was approved in March 2015 at a cost of P15.6 million, however just over P14.7 million was utilised.

He said the project was completed in September 2015 and the airport was open for operations. He said the airport had satisfied quality assurance standards. Dr Mokubung said SPEDU had approached operators such as Blue Sky to consider operating flights to Selebi Phikwe.

The SPEDU CEO said Motloutse Farms Electrification Project was due to take place.

However, he said the project had been delayed due to Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) scheduled to be completed by end of this month.  

He said the main objective of this project was to provide electricity as a substitute to the diesel or petrol powered generators currently used by farmers. ENDS