Businesspeople Urge Air Botswana To Serve Phikwe

By Calistus Kolantsho
Correspondent | Monday January 25, 2010 00:00

Speaking during a consultative meeting organised by Selebi-Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU), Captain Dan Molokwe of Aviation Solutions said Selebi-Phikwe Airport is in good condition and just needs a few touches to be used regularly by Air Botswana. He said it is surprising that the airport is not being used. 'Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) does not know its mandate. It must be pushed to allow privately-owned companies to take over the airport or even the residents of this town can be given permission to run the airport. If the airport is under private management, it can be marketed well to promote this town,' he said.

Molokwe noted that the airport has a three kilometre runway that can accommodate big planes. He said that at the moment, the CAA has employed 40 people at the airport yet only three flights land at the facility per month.

He stated that lack of direct flights to Selebi-Phikwe prevents investors from coming to the town because they do not want to drive long distances from Gaborone or Francistown. 

Another businessman, Andrew Mosweu said income tax, VAT and licensing fees must be reduced in Selebi-Phikwe. He noted that businesses operating in the town cannot be charged at the same rate with businesses in other towns because they are not making profit. 'VAT is killing us. Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) is making a lot of money out of us. We must be de-registered from VAT, if possible,' he said.

Moeti Mohwasa said Selebi-Phikwe business people must speak with one voice when they lobby. He said that they all have problems and they must use SPEDU as their vehicle. He said SPEDU must be given funding and authority to push for development or else it will be a useless unit. Rosemary Mukwewa complained about council by-laws, saying they are cruel and have forced some businesses such as butcheries to shut-down after the introduction of the ban on braii.

The coordinator of SPEDU, Kago Moshashane said the business community must be surprised that nothing is happening after the diversification policy was adopted in 2007. He stated that progress is delayed by bureaucracy in government. 'Textile firms were given special FAP packages to establish here but they failed and closed down. You have to learn from their mistakes.

We need sustainable businesses and commitment from you. We are prepared to assist you to grow your businesses,' he said. Moshashane stated that he is aware that the Selebi-Phikwe business community is frustrated.

The businesses people complained about the council tendering board, saying that it has been there for long. They demanded that tenders that were issued recently should be audited. Some retailers complained that wholesalers are competing with them for customers because they operate like retailers.