SPEDU seeks Swedish funds for pilot energy park
Onalenna Kelebeile | Friday January 24, 2014 15:53
He explained that the technologies are in line with twinning key result areas between Selebi-Phikwe Town Council (SPTC) and Trollhatan Municipality in Sweden. He said that SPEDU through the Re-employment Account will continue funding the follow-up feasibility studies and benchmarking on the recycling and alternative energy initiatives.
He stated that SPEDU is currently sourcing funds from Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to support agricultural development. FAO can give up to $400,000 in grants to support agriculture. “Botswana has not tapped into this grant. The country has never thought of accessing this grant before. We are engaging a wide base of stakeholders in the private sector to support the economic diversification programme through funds and resources,” he explained.
SPEDU is currently in talks with be Mobile cellphone network service provider to set up a structure in the Tuli Block area in Bobirwa. He explained that mobile telephony and internet upgrade in the Tuli area is one of the projects proposed under the Re-employment Account.
He explained that residents of the Tuli area use South African cellphone networks, hence Botswana is losing out on tax.
He said P14 million has been set aside from the Re-employment Account for the establishment of a Mining Museum and Education Research Centre. He said they want to make use of the decommissioned BCL shaft and open pit in the project and a feasibility study has already been made. “Global benchmarking visit preparations are underway and stakeholder engagement processes have commenced,” he added.
He stated that they have submitted memoranda for funding strategies for human resource development; productivity enhancement; a revolving fund proposal, benchmarking, trade missions, marketing and regional branding.
Other projects proposed under the Re-employment Account include leather sector value chain analysis and management plan and Dikgatlhong Dam feasibility study.
Boikhutswane indicated that SPEDU is working hand in hand with the Department of Roads in the P100 million Platjan Bridge Project. He said Platjan, which is going to be a border post is a key strategic area.
The 18 months project is expected to commence during the first quarter of 2014 and Botswana and South Africa are expected to sign a Memorandum of Agreement next month.
Boikhutswane said SPEDU is in dialogue with BCL and Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) to establish a regional campus in conjunction with the University of Johannesburg.
'SPEDU is also addressing land allocation issues with Department of Lands through the assistance of the National Strategic Office to facilitate land allocation in the Selebi-Phikwe region.
We met in December last year to try and discuss modalities of making land speedily available because the current situation is not in the interest of diversification. We are expecting feedback at the end of this month,' he said.