17 Nov 2016

Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Advocate Sadique Kebonang, on November 15 presented to Parliament an estimated cost of about P14.5 billion for the draft National Development Plan (NDP).

When presenting the programmes and projects for the ministry under economy and employment thematic working group, he said the money would be used to implement various projects under energy and mineral sub-sectors.

Major programmes under the energy infrastructure development to be implemented during the plan period include Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution, Rural Village Electrification and Network Extension, Botswana Power Corporation Support and Coal Development. 

Advocate Kebonang said under the minerals sub-sector there would  be only one programme of mineral resources exploration that would be allocated more than P14 billion or 27 per cent of the P55.3 billion allocated for programmes under Economy and Employment Thematic Working Group (TWG).

The minister said during the plan period, the ministry also envisages to undertake under the Energy Infrastructure Development sub-sector , the Power Generation and Distribution Programme with a total estimated cost of just over P3.8 billion. 

“Specific projects under this programme include completion of Morupule A Refurbishment project at P600 million completion of the North West Power Transmission Line at P1.6 billion, completion of the Rakola Sub Station at about  P815 million, Transmission Backbone Infrastructure Reinforcement at P208 million Isang/Morupule B 400 KV Line at P443 million and Zimbabwe-Zambia-Botswana-Namibia (ZIZABONA) Transmission Project at P200 million,” he said.

Advocate Kebonang also said the Energy Infrastructure Development is the Rural Electrification and Network Extension which is allocated P650 million aims at ensuring that Batswana residing in rural villages have access to electricity for their own socio-economic development.

He said the Botswana Power Corporation Support with a total estimated cost of P10 billion is aimed at subsidising users against high electricity tariffs in order for the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) to meet its operational costs.

Minister Kebonang further said the Mineral Resources Exploration under the Minerals Sub-Sector is allocated P22 million through the National Integrated GeoScience Information System project.

He further briefed Parliament that it is expected that successful implementation of the aforementioned programmes will go a long way in facilitating other players in the economy to effectively execute their dream of diversifying this economy and achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth and competiveness. BOPA