21 Jul 2020

All Lobatse major development projects are continuing as planned, despite disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic, deputy mayor, Ms Tiny Dinoko has said.  

Addressing a full council meeting on behalf of the mayor recently, Ms Dinoko said the projects included upgrading of the bus rank, implementation of leather park as well as upgrading of the Pioneer border facilities.  

She pointed that the bus rank project, which commenced last year in November was progressing well, though the contractor experienced delay in meeting the June 2020 phase one deadline.

Phase one of the P100 million project, a public-private-partnership between Lobatse Town Council and Time Projects, included construction of a new bus and taxi rank at the site of the old bus rank. 

Phase two would entail construction of a modern shopping complex adjacent to the bus rank.

“Phase one was expected to be completed in June, but due to the COVID-19 circumstances it has been delayed. Mobilisation of phase two has, however, commenced and the two phases will continue concurrently,” Ms Dinoko said.

The deputy mayor further said ground breaking for major facility developments at Pioneer Border had already taken place and construction would run for three years.  The project included construction of offices and staff houses, among other things.

On implementation of the P400 million Lobatse Leather Park, Ms Dinoko said preparations for the project were ongoing.

The project, which was first planned about six years ago, would provide large scale activities in leather processing and manufacturing of different leather products.

She also said Lobatse Town Council had decided to grant permission for the temporary use of open spaces to operate car wash businesses, particularly for the youth. 

That, she said, was done in order to fast-track resuscitation of the economy post lockdown.

On food relief packages during lockdown, she said a total of 6 449 households were assessed in Lobatse from which 4 340 were recommended for food hampers, out of which 4 169 households were assisted with food. 

She said the council spent a total of P3 654 000 on food relief packages in Lobatse. Ends