15 Jun 2015

The Minster of Infrastructure Science and Technology, Mr Nonofho Molefhi, recently toured some of the projects implemented under the Selebi Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU). 

Minister Molefhi, who is also Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe East, visited the Selebi Phikwe Airport, which was refurbished and is expected to be complete by August this year.

The major works included maintaining the runway and clearing the vegetation along its sides; and repairing the front of the airport offices.  Furthermore, the project would include putting road markings on the runway and taxi way, among other things. 

The Selebi Phikwe airport project has been identified as one of the strategic areas of development in support of the economic diversification drive and the promotion of key economic opportunities such as tourism and other businesses.

Minister Molefhi also paid a courtesy call on the SPEDU management where the acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Mannane Mannane briefed him about the electrification of horticulture farms along the Motloutse River.

Dr Mannane said 44 farms along the river were to be connected to the national grid, adding that the project was off the ground and that the Botswana Power Cooperation had been paid to carry out the work.

The electrification of farms along the Motloutse River is meant to promote horticulture and field crop farming in the region, he said, adding that the Platjaan Bridge project would start in September this year and it is expected to be complete by March 2017. 

The bridge when complete would facilitate easy movement of goods and people into Botswana from South Africa. 

The Senior Research Scientist from NFTRC Mr Lovemore Marire briefed the minister about progress made in setting up the Horticulture Processing Plant at the Botswana Development Cooperation (BDC) warehouse.

He said the plant’s machinery and equipment used to process the horticulture produce to make canned and bottled food had already arrived.

Meanwhile, the Minster acknowledged progress made by SPEDU in implementing the projects, saying the projects would give the residents of Selebi Phikwe confidence that the diversification project was gradually taking off.

However, he expressed concern that power had not been connected yet at the horticulture processing plant; thus he called on relevant authorities to speed up the progress.
During the visit, minister Molefhi also paid a courtesy call on the Mayor of Selebi Phikwe Mr Amogelang Mojuta and the town council management as well as the Deputy District Commissioner’s Office.

He also held a meeting with the BCL Mine Management where he was briefed on the progress made by the mine on its Polaris II initiative. Further, Mr Molefhi held a meeting with headmasters of schools in Selebi Phikwe. ENDS