KwDC loses millions in unoccupied rental office space
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday May 11, 2018 15:21
Information reaching this publication is that KwDC reached an agreement with some government departments that they would share the rental after partitioning the space for more than P9 million, but to date some government departments are yet to occupy office spaces.
Initially, it was planned that all government departments will be housed in the area, but appears they pulled out and council was left in the lurch. It is claimed that other departments need certain equipment for them to move to the place. Currently council is paying rental all on its own.
KwDC says the intention of leasing the facility was to provide services in a location that has high movement of public traffic, also considering that it was to cater for other government departments, as it is convenient for clients to access services while shopping at the same location.
KwDC started leasing the service hall in April 2015. Cash Bazaar Holdings (CBH) developed Mafenyatlala Mall after an agreement with Bakwena Community Development Association. CBH has rented the land from Bakwena Community Development Association, which is supposed to return it to Bakwena after 35 years. The 35-year lease agreement was prompted by the fact that the association did not have money to develop the mall.
All the payments for space rentals are paid to CBH.
“Currently, in addition to council services, other departments offering services at the service hall are Botswana Unified Revenues Service (BURS) and the Department of Agriculture. Other departments are expected to come in after sorting out their logistics like manpower and equipment. Council pays a rental of (approximately) P58,308.37,” deputy KwDC council secretary, Eric Puskas disclosed.
Puskas said council had awarded a tender at the amount of P9,102,146.44 for the alterations of the hall.
“Works which were done from that amount are partitioning and creating service counters and cubicles, provision of ablution blocks, provision of revenue counters, provision of two meeting rooms, provision of a coffee shop, provision of a printing room, provision of mechanical services, for example air conditioning, provision of electrical installations, and purchase of furniture.” The deputy council secretary said it should be noted that council, BURS and the Department of Agriculture are currently providing services at the hall.
He said the boardroom is also used by government departments to hold meetings, including the Department of Transport.
“Having said that, even though other services are still expected to come in, the facility is not a white elephant, as it has provided a lot of convenience to clients as they are assisted by officers who only focus on those services they provide,” he said.