Francistown Abattoir Set To Resume Operations
Chakalisa Dube | Monday August 31, 2015 15:28
This was said by city mayor, Sylvia Muzila last week when addressing an ordinary full council meeting here.
The abattoir, which is undergoing maintenance, was leased to a local company Judex Ventures in July last year. The lease is for a period of 20 years. “The refurbishment of the council abattoir is expected to be completed by December. I had the opportunity to view the project last week.
“The boundary wall is 96% percent complete and other related works to cater for modest features of the facility are still progressing,” Muzila said when addressing the council.
Early last year the FCC decided to lease the abattoir, which was then non-operational, citing that it will be expensive to renovate and run the facility. At the time, the council said it will require nearly P20 million to renovate the abattoir.
When contacted for comment on Friday, Judex Ventures managing director Harry Moloi confirmed that the renovations will be completed in December and operations will begin in January.
“There is however a possibility that the renovations may be completed in November and operations starting in December,” he said.
He said a company called NDC Structural Engineering Consultants has been appointed to carry out the renovations that will cost nearly P7 million. He added that the renovations started around June, but securing funds and locating drawings of the abattoir building delayed progress.
Moloi said the money used to fund the renovations has been sourced from local commercial banks.
“NDC Structural Engineering Consultants will also train members of our staff on various aspects related to working in an abattoir,” he said.
Moloi added that the company, which originates from South Africa, has extensive experience in constructing abattoirs as well as training abattoir employees around the globe, having done works in countries such as Kenya and Australia.
Moloi would not want to reveal how much the company will use to operate the abattoir and the anticipated profits for confidentiality reasons.
Once operational, the company director indicated that Judex Ventures would create permanent jobs to over 30 people. These people will be in the category of skinners, office assistants, abattoir managers and maintenance managers as well as drivers. The company is expected to pay the FCC a fee of P17,000 a month for the duration of the 20-year lease.