FCC identifies developer for new CBD
Chakalisa Dube | Thursday August 31, 2017 16:33
City Mayor Sylvia Muzila confirmed the development this week during an ordinary full council meeting.
“China Civil Engineering Construction (CCEC) and Bothakga Burrow have been identified as the qualifying investors and their appointment was placed on display in the council public notice boards at the beginning of July,” said the mayor. CCEC has its roots in China, but has done a lot of construction and civil engineering works in Botswana in recent years. The company also operates in various countries in Africa.
Bothakga Burrow Botswana is a multi-disciplinary engineering, mining and contracting company that has been in operation for years.
The mayor recently said that the developer would also design and service the CBD plot. She added that after developing, the two companies would also manage the CBD.
“Transfer of the developed property to the city council will be done after the expiry of the lease agreement,” she said. During the council meeting, Muzila did not reveal further details of the lease agreement apart from saying that it would be a very lengthy arrangement.
The mayor noted that the two companies are currently undertaking consultations with relevant stakeholders and will start developing the plot soon. Early this year, the FCC drafted an Expression of Interest for the servicing, development, management and transfer of the property to council at the end of the lease period.
A resolution to lease the plot was taken following indications that the council does not have enough funds to fulfill responsibilities of developing and managing a new CBD.
It is anticipated that the development of the new CBD plot will help create jobs.