27 Feb 2020

The centre for people living with disabilities behind Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Training remains unoccupied due to omission made in providing certain critical items, Parliament heard Wednesday.

Answering a parliamentary question, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development,  Mr Eric Molale said kitchen appliances and equipment, furniture, other electrical works, manpower and recurrent costs were omitted, hence the centre remained unoccupied.

He explained that construction of the facility started in October  2008 and remained unoccupied since its completion on June 29, 2011. “The total amount spent on the construction of the facility was close to P15 million.

In June 2016, he said the Ministry of Health and Wellness expressed interest to utilise the facility as a Regional Rehabilitation Centre.

Mr Molale further stated that negotiations on the same with Francistown City Council were concluded in December 2017 and a memorandum of Lease Agreement with Ministry of Health and Wellness for 25 years was signed effective April 2019 to April 2044.

He added that the facility was currently undergoing refurbishment which commenced in October 2019, and was anticipated for completion by end of June this year and start operation in September this year.

Minister Molale was responding a question from Member of Parliament for Francistown West, Mr Ignitious Moswaane who wanted to know why the centre still remained unoccupied and how long it stayed unoccupied.

He also wanted to know how much was spent on its construction and what the City of Francistown intended to do with building as it had stayed for too long without a tenant. Ends