BURS constructs P542m head office in CBD
Keikantse Lesemela | Thursday June 26, 2014 13:08
The foundation for the headquarters, estimated to cost P452 million, was laid on Tuesday. The first phase of the project, which includes bulk earthworks, has already been completed at a cost of P27 million. The second phase entails the provision of a modern office complex comprising a three-storey basement, and eight floors of corporate headquarters tower block. There will also be two three storey office blocks and a three levels ancillary block, which will house a cafeteria, gymnasium and conference rooms.
The new complex has been planned to house all the BURS head office divisions and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB). It is hoped the BURS headquarters will ease the provision of its services to taxpayers, strategically located within the CBD.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Kenneth Matambo said the CBD area is now transforming into the main centre of commercial activity in Gaborone. “The building is expected to become one of the landmark buildings in the area, boasting of designs which have been cited as being iconic and timeless,” said Matambo.
He explained that the design of the building encompasses some of the most modern and state of the art information technology systems. “This is done because modern revenue services are enhanced by the efficiencies that can hold and should be derived from the use of ICT to drive business processes,” he said. Matambo explained that the provision of a modern headquarters building for BURS is in recognition of the critical role that BURS plays in mobilising the resources needed for the development of Botswana.
Since its establishment, BURS has managed to meet and in some years, exceed its revenue collection targets. The revenue collected over the past eight years has grown by 152 percent over the eight years period from P11.82 billion in 2005/06 to P29.87 billion in 2012/13. On the other hand, the proportion of tax revenues to the total revenue has averaged around 70 percent for the period 2005 to 2014.
The CBD is becoming a hive of activity with many operations occupying the skyscrapers that are reshaping the landscape of Gaborone.
In the recent past, other corporate businesses, parastals and government departments have been moving to the CBD.
Last year, CEDA relocated to the CBD followed by other government departments including the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Botswana Fibre Networks, Botswana Investment and Trade Centre as well as First National Bank. Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) and Barclays Bank are also expected to move to the CBD soon.
While the development seems to excite many, property developers have, however, raised concerns that the migration of businesses to the new CBD from the Main Mall/Government Enclave and Kgale is putting pressure on rentals as vacancies emerge. Older properties are the ones that are likely to suffer in the short and medium term as tenants upgrade to new and ∆ better developed properties.