05 May 2022

 The completion date for Tsabong Multispecies Abattoir has been extended to October 27. 

Initially the completion date was July but failed due to various challenges. 

 Some of the challenges included the delay in borehole allocation and in the interim, the project drew water from the Tsabong Ecotourism Camel Park borehole.

Kgalagadi District Agricultural Coordinator, Ms Ikgopoleng Shabane said this recently when updating Assistant Minister of Agriculture Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi during a tour of the abattoir which is currently under construction.

She said the Ministry of Agriculture was presently working with ministry of Lands and Water Affairs on a tender to reticulate water to the abattoir. 

The coordinator said the water from Camel Park was sufficient as the borehole capacity stood at 300 000 liters per day while the park used about 60 000 liters per day which was underutilised.

Giving an update on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Ms Shabane said was last done in 2015, hence the need to carry it out because the  project scope was increased .

She said the construction of the road to the abattoir was approved on April 13 this year for easier accessibility to the abattoir, adding that consultations with stakeholders were ongoing to discuss issues associated with the commencement of the  construction of the road.

“We are hoping that the project would be completed on October 27 and we are anticipating that because COVID-19 is still at large, we do not rule out a possibility of another extension.   Our projections are that the project would be extended by 108 days, about three months,” she said.

Expounding on the project scope, Ms Shabane said the P161 million worth of project was started in 2014 but encountered challenges and was fully kick started in 2021. 

Of the total estimated expenditure amount, she said, so far P62.2 million had been expended on the project. 

All structures had been constructed and the entire project performance was 50 per cent complete.

Once complete, she said, the abattoir which sits on four hectares of land would slaughter 300 small stock per day, 60 cattle, and 60 game per day.

For his part, Aggre Holdings Botswana site manager Mr Buckley Molefe said there was progress as the service buildings were completed, kitchen and canteen, administration block, livestock receiving area and two guard houses. 

The main abattoir or slaughter house/area had chillers and de-boning areas, the rendering area was also being built.

The site manager said in line with economically empowering locals, they sourced some local products and services locally such as bricks but majority of material was sourced outside the district as it was unavailable locally.

Assistant Minister of Agriculture Mr Molebatsi said engagement of locals was critical for local economic development. 

He noted that there was a challenge of incomplete projects countrywide , hence the need to ensure implementation and timely completion. 

Assistant Minister Molebatsi said small stock market has been secured at Saud Arabia, therefore encouraged people to produce quality small stock and exploited value chains stemming from the availability of the Tsabong multi species abattoir.

He said government made effort to educate farmers through availing extension services and offering training to farmers at Lobu Small stock Farm. 

The assistant minister highlighted that exploiting value chains was critical as Batswana could go into various sectors related such as logistics, feed production, and pharmaceuticals, and hospitality. Mr Molebatsi encouraged use of digital technology to market produce internationally.

He said adding that government shall continue to develop infrastructure in farms to facilitate farmers with internet, water, electricity to improve efficiencies.

For his part Member of Parliament for Kgalagadi South Mr Samuel Brooks said COVID-19 caused setbacks hence the need to fast track construction.

MP said construction material was bought from far even though some locals were able to supply.  

Thus he said it was critical to have a provision for the contractors to draw binding agreements with locals to ensure that they boost locals. 

He encouraged them to continue working closely with stakeholders to ensure that the project became a success.

Mr Brooks encouraged officers to pay contractors on time and for contractors to pay employees on time as that was critical to service delivery.

“Nonetheless, he said the project was on track despite payment glitches last year. “So far so good,” he said

The assistant minister had the opportunity to appreciate other key agricultural projects in Kgalagadi south district such as Lobu Small Stock Farm and Swakara Farm. Ends