Spedu Works Towards Independence From Government

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Monday January 25, 2010 00:00

Speaking during a briefing of councillors from Tswapong North, Bobirwa, Mmadinare, Selebi-Phikwe West and East Constituencies this week, SPEDU Coordinator, Kago Moshashane said the proposals have been made to government and they are awaiting approval. He mentioned that being a unit in the government has caused delays in the implementation of the programme, while as an independent entity, the programme will move at a faster pace.

He observed that bureaucracy causes delays and that is why they are still behind.  'As long as we are under the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, progress will be slow,' he said.

Moshashane went on to explain that SPEDU will host a national conference next week, from January 27-29 which will bring together critical government and private sector stakeholders to deliberate on the proposed diversification programme and come up with a robust plan and a national commitment on implementing that programme. 'Ministries have agreed that this region is a special case that needs strategic plans and programmes,' Moshashane said.

He stated that people must know that SPEDU does not sponsor projects because it does not have funds. He explained that people can only present their ideas to SPEDU officers who will be able to assist them. Moshashane said different studies have been done in the region and SPEDU has approved and adopted them for implementation.

He told the councillors that the development agency has adopted the implementation of regional tourism, horticulture and agro processing, heavy engineering, education sector, Selebi-Phikwe works programme, dairy sector, aquaculture and poultry sector among others. 

He noted that for the region to progress, all stakeholders involved must work as a team and stop fighting or blaming each other.

He observed that while they had been informed that construction of the College of Applied Arts and Science in Selebi-Phikwe would commence in October, at the moment they do not know what is taking place.

SPEDU Marketing and Communication Director, Wazha Tema urged key stakeholders to work collectively to create better conditions for economic growth and employment creation in the region. He mentioned that by 2015 Selebi-Phikwe should have become an economic diversified and growing town, a recognised commercial and administrative centre.

Councillors mentioned that prior to the meeting they had not known the mandate of SPEDU. Molalatau ward councillor, Nathaniel Moribame complained that investors, who owned textile firms in Selebi-Phikwe that have since shut operations, came to steal skills and money from Botswana. 'Those people just came to destroy our economy.

I am glad about the formation of SPEDU because it shows that it has direction and I call upon stakeholders to work together and develop our region beyond BCL Mine,' he said.

Moribame mentioned that this region is well equipped in terms of resources especially in tourism and agriculture. He compared the region to Limpopo in South Africa because they share the same soil type and climate. Leonard Mosweu of Tobane ward suggested an Air Botswana route to Selebi-Phikwe as some investors do not like driving long distances.

In addition he said the region should have an abattoir which would assist the region with a market as it is already threatened by Foot and Mouth Disease.