'Francistown doomed' � politicians
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Friday January 20, 2017 15:04
The provisional liquidator, Nigel Dixon-Warren released a report this week putting paid to hopes that BCL Mine and Tati Nickel could reopen and that the only way out will have to be to sell them separately or as a whole as early as July.
Dixon-Warren addressed the media on Tuesday in Selebi Phikwe where he said that when he delivers his report to the High Court on February 7, he would be recommending that BCL Ltd, which includes both Mines and BCL Investments, be placed under final liquidation.
Final liquidation rules out a reopening of the mines by Government and points to sale of assets. Over the years, these Mines played a significant role in the economy of Francistown, hence their closure has crippled both the property market and retail sector, as some companies are forced to relocate their businesses.
Moreover, due to the shut down of the mines, the liquidation process left over 5,000 miners jobless. The closure resulted in the shrinkingl of the demand for high cost and executive houses, offices, warehouses and impacted negatively on people’s assets. After being alerted by the report made by the liquidator, politicians in the second city expressed great concern over the information.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Francistown West Ignatius Moswaane urged the Government to find a solution to the BCL Ltd crisis. “I don’t believe that BCL Ltd can be closed indefinitely. Government should find a way to save the Mine.
The Government should look for other means outside the box by involving potential buyers or investors for the Mine to start operating,” he said.
Moswaane further noted that the second city is already feeling the pinch because multitudes of people have lost their jobs.
“The miners played a vital role in the economy of Francistown. Some of them employed domestic workers and were clients to businesses here. In short, Francistown ihas been badly affected economically and socially as a mining town,” he said.
Mioswaane indicated that some landlords and property developers were decrying income loss.
MP for Francistown East Buti Billy shared Moswaane's sentiments.
He indicated that a dark cloud is hovering over Francistown because of the closure of the Mines. He added that government should engage different stakeholders in the matter to avoid the final liquidation.
“The economy of the city is flushed down the drain with an increased unemployment, a major contributor to mushrooming crime in the city,” he said. Billy urged residents of Francistown to find other alternatives if only for purposes of sustenance. He said that people should divert from being dependent on the Mines to other sectors to improve the economy of the city.
Hesuggested that the Government should also consider turning Francistown into a sport hub.
He further noted that if the people can be manufacturers, they would be able to create more jobs amongst for others, hence be able to sustain themselves.
The MP for Francistown South, Wynter Mmolotsi said that a lot could have been done before the liquidation process. Mmolotsi added that the Government could have restructured the Mines, by injecting about P2 billon to avoid the closure of the Mines.
He indicated most of the miners were bread winners, which led to the collapse of the city’s economy.
“Some of the unemployed miners relocated to other places leaving vacant houses which affected the economy of property developers. The miners were consumers to every service provider in the city. Some of the shops would retrench due to the current situation,” he said.
He added that the private schools are already feeling the pinch as more students are transferred to public schools. Mmolotsi revealed that the stayed closure of the mines would send away potential investors for the town.