24 Jun 2021

Francistown City Council (FCC) has leased out land to the private sector in order to grow the city’s economy.

Addressing a full council meeting on June 21, Francistown mayor, Mr Godisang Radisigo, said council continued to rebuild the city’s economy through the awarding of land parcels to the private sector for development, saying time had come for the partners to pick up momentum,

He said concern had been raised that some council partners delayed in fulfilling their contractual obligations after being awarded tenders while

Acknowledging there were hardships that befell the private sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of resource mobilization to kick-start projects.

Mr Radisigo said some of the land parcels included the re-development of the central market place, the leasing and development of plot 15076 (Mummies plot) and development of Tatitown primary school.

He explained that in line with the aspirations of the Francistown Blue Jacket Street Revitalisation plan, the re-development contract was signed in April this year.

Mr Radisigo said the site handing over was done in May and preliminary designs had been discussed with the contractor.

“The company is currently finalising the architectural plans for consideration by the council. It is anticipated that the ground breaking ceremony of this milestone re-development project will be held in August 2021,” he said.

The mayor further said the leasing and development of plot 15076 was awarded on a 25 years ground lease agreement and signed in 2019.

Mr Radisigo attributed the delay of the commencement of the project to the reconciliation of the plot size, which was corrected from 3 634 hectares to 2. 2367 hectares and the deviation of the initial scope of works that was presented in the company’s proposal during tendering stage. The company, he said, had resubmitted the drawing for consideration by council in April and had been approved.

Furthermore, he explained that council had awarded for a long term reversionary lease of 25 years for leasing and refurbishment of old Tatitown primary school into a private school, hospitality college and a boutique hotel as well as associated facilities such as conferencing, retail and recreation.

The mayor highlighted that the company awarded had indicated that staff recruitment would commence in July and the enrolment shall be in January next year.

He also explained that due to derailed progress of works as per the schedule of works submitted, the council had requested the contractor for the revised schedule of works incorporating maintenance and construction; which had been submitted to council this in June this year.

Meanwhile, Councillors were updated on parking study development of plots 6145,16178, 16148, 21930 and portion of plot 91945 and 21 952.

Mr Radisigo said two of the said plots located at Nswazi Mall had been awarded for the development and operation of the multi-level paid parking. He said the council facilitated registration of the lease by providing a confirmation of registration in February.

“The company is currently at the stage of registering a lease with the Department of Deeds and Registry and the conclusion of the matter will be finalised in the second quarter of 2021/2022 fiscal year,” he said.

Regarding progress on the sourcing of open spaces for the youth, he said Council had reserved 34 plots.

He said to date, a total of 19 open spaces had been leased to the youth at zero rated rentals adding that though the council was making some progress in this regard, there were some challenges encountered with development of the open spaces.

Mr Radisigo explained that the major notable challenge being lack of funding, high cost of utilities connection and relocation of the youth to other areas after being accorded the use of the open spaces.

However, he explained that interventions have been conceptualised to counteract the challenges that included council consultation with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development. Ends