29 Jan 2018

Kgosi Kenatje Kandapaera of Toteng in the Ngami District has appreciated the North West transmission grid project, which he said would aid developments in his village as the Khoemacau mine and other projects, which require power to operate accordingly.

Kgosi Kandapaera, who was speaking at the ground breaking of the North West transmission grid at Legothwana substation on January 22, also said the project, which was worth billions of pula, would provide employment to residents of Toteng and neighbouring villages in large numbers as he was aware some skills would be sourced elsewhere.
He also advised Toteng people to protect equipment used in the project instead of stealing or vandalising it.

Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) vice chief operating officer, Mr Jonathan Raheem Hosseini said Khoemacau mine in Toteng would resume operations immediately the power project commences.
 The North West transmission grid project, he said was expected to revive mining and other sectors in Toteng in the Ngami District.
Khoemacau Mine, which was formerly Boseto Mine, was affected by lack of electricity.
Boseto closed shop early 2015 and Khoemacau took over thereafter.

Lack of electricity in the Toteng area was cited as one main reason for the closure of Boseto Mine as huge funds were spent in power-generated fuel since the mine was commissioned in 2012.
Mr Raheem Hussein therefore said the North West transmission grid project was a green light for Khoemacau Nine.

The North West transmission grid, he said would also provide reliable electricity to the north west part of the country as well as help Botswana sell power to the Southern African power pool.
He said reliable power would also attract various investors to the area.
Mr Raheem Hussein also assured Toteng residents that the agreement with the contractors emphasised engaging local communities as much as possible as the project would engage 81 per cent of locals in possession of various skills.

He said the project that had cost about P4.8 billion and divided into two phases would run from 2018 to December 2019.
The Legothwana/Toteng substation connects to Mawana substation near Chanoga and also transmits power to Ghanzi and Gumare in the Okavango. Ends