Moswaane breaks ranks with gov�t on BCL closure
Chakalisa Dube | Wednesday October 19, 2016 17:33
Almost all the ruling party legislators have been mum on the recent unexpected closure of BCL Mine. Now Moswaane has decided that he cannot remain quiet like a church mouse in the wake of troubles at BCL that are threatening to collapse the economy of the tiny town of Selebi-Phikwe.
The MP has joined a swelling rank of opposition party politicians who have openly criticised the government on the closure of the BCL.
Moswaane is also calling on government to re-open Tati Nickel Mining Company (TNMC), which is owned by BCL. This week the outspoken former Francistown mayor indicated that he will table an urgent motion in Parliament calling on the government to reverse the decision to close BCL. The next parliamentary session is next month.
“Industrial companies are dependent on BCL. About 80% of all businesses will close in Selebi-Phikwe. The town will be struck by abject poverty and government will have to fork out billions of pula in relief measures,” Moswaane said.
Over 4,500 people will lose their jobs at BCL while TNMC will shed 700 jobs. The government placed the two mines under provisional liquidation citing cash-flow problems.
In his argument, Moswaane said commodity prices are anticipated to improve in 2018 and as such closing the Mine was not the best option by government. He maintained that the government should pump additional funds into the running of the BCL Mine with a view to recovering it when commodity prices improve. “Should the government fail to re-open the BCL Mine, people will die from stress related ailments. If people are not working they will not be able to finance their loans and lifestyles among others which will contribute to stress,” he added.
Moswaane said companies contracted to both TNMC and BCL are already feeling the pinch of the closure of the two mines. He explained that already the companies have started shedding off jobs. Yesterday Moswaane told Mmegi that he has already filed his motion with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Gladys Kokorwe.
“My feeling is that if the BCL and TNMC Mines issue is discussed in Parliament, members can come up with suggestions that can help save the two mines. I am beginning to sense a lot of anger, pain and uncertainty among residents of Francistown and Selebi-Phikwe as a result of the closure of the Mines,” Moswaane said.
Yesterday Kokorwe confirmed that Moswaane has filed the motion calling on government to reverse the closure of the BCL and TNMC Mines but would not go into details.