17 Jun 2014

Selebi Phikwe Town Council (SPTC) has commenced construction of 24 primary school teachers’ flats at Ikageleng Phase II valued at P15 million.

The contract was awarded to Giant Build Construction Company. In his welcome remarks at the ground breaking ceremony recently, the town’s mayor, Mr Tebogo Matlhogonolo explained that shortage of accommodation was one of the major challenges faced by teachers.

Mr Matlhogonolo also pointed out that the project would not fully solve the lack of accommodation problem experienced in Selebi Phikwe by teachers but it would help alleviate the problem.

The deputy town clerk-technical services, Mr Maipelo Selatolo explained that the SPTC was currently responsible for 11 primary schools and 264 teachers. He said out of the 264 teachers, only 148 were given accommodation leaving out 116 who had to find accommodation for themselves. 

Furthermore, he revealed that the 24 houses to be built will cut down the shortfall to 92. He said the flats would be distributed accordingly by the teacher’s housing committee which was made up of teachers.

Mr Themba Sithole, a representative from Giant Build Construct company which has been awarded the contract said that they would complete the project well in time and in good quality. 

He also noted that through the project they would create employment for Selebi Phikwe residents and also purchase their building materials in the town’s hardware stores in order to boast local businesses.

Councilor Lekang Mokokomani of Ikageleng ward, the chairperson of the SPTC finance committee appreciated the SPTC for choosing Ikageleng as the place to construct the flats and further urged the council to involve other critical stakeholders such as the town’s MPs in the project.

For his part, deputy town clerk- finance and administration, Mr Shadreck Selelo implored the contractors to fulfill their contract requirements and called for quality and timely service delivery.

He added that the town’s dignitaries would work together with the contractors to ensure that the project runs smoothly. ENDS