04 Oct 2016

 

 

 The Minister of  Infrastructure and Housing Development,  Mr Nonofo Molefhi, says the Nickel Park in Selebi Phikwe will have a positive impact on the town’s community and SPEDU region.

He said  creation of the park was an add-on to the many ideas of converting the SPEDU region into a tourism hub. 

He said the artifacts, which were in display at the park and an open pit at the BCL Mine, would be part of tourism attraction in the region and would also serve as an education centre for students.

Mr Molefhi, who is also Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe East, said this during an occasion to officially open the Nickel Park as part of Botswana’s golden jubilee celebrations.  

“The Nickel Park will make part of the ‘science education centre of excellence’ that the BCL Mine and Botswana International University of Science and Technology are working on and will serve as a learning centre for students studying geology and mining. 

The facility will live beyond the life of the mine’s operations and become part of the educational history of BCL Mine and mining in Botswana,” he said.

He said the park monument will also to tell the story of Selebi Phikwe as the history of the mining town goes hand in hand with the history of BCL Mine. “I want to thank the BCL Mine leadership for its foresight in setting up the park,” he said.

“We are therefore indebted to the BCL employees who have worked tirelessly to put up the park. As we celebrate 50 years of Independence we celebrate with the Nickel Park as a gift from BCL Mine to the community of Selebi Phikwe,” Mr Molefhi said.

The BCL Mine managing director Mr Dan Mahupela said his organisation setup the Nickel Park to celebrate the life of BCL Mine as Botswana turned 50 years. 

He said Selebi Phikwe existed because people who worked at the BCL Mine contributed to what it was today. 

“This is the meaning of independence as we celebrate 50 years of independence in Botswana and we are happy to contribute the Nickel Park as part of the Botswana golden jubilee celebrations,” he said 

He said BCL Mine shared the idea with the town mayor and town clerk where a decision was made by the Selebi Phikwe Town Council to award a triangular piece of land situated between two roads that go on opposite directions one leading to Botshabelo which is the first residential location in Selebi Phikwe and the other leading to the BCL mine, to setup the Nickel Park. Mr Mahupela said the mining machinery and equipment displayed at the park will teach the public on the operations at the mine and also tell the history of the mine and Selebi Phikwe. 

Meanwhile, the Selebi Phikwe business community representative Mrs Sandra Hughes congratulated BCL Mine for putting up Nickel Park monument. 

She said significance of the monument is that it will help people to learn the history and culture of the town especially the mine. 

She said the centre would also promote tourism and more people will visit  the town and ultimately boost the business sector. ENDS