Source: Business Weekly
The government plans to launch an ambitious public-private partnerships (PPP) pipeline of 17 major infrastructure projects to be implemented in sectors such as energy, water and transportation.
The projected investment is estimated to run into billions of Pula. A proposal in draft stages, which provides a pipeline of PPP projects under review is set to be unveiled by the Ministry of Finance. In the proposal, seen by this publication, the projects are currently under review and will be subject to the necessary approvals before they are implemented.
Energy projects that have been lined up under the Ministry of Minerals and Energy include the Ikaegeng XTL Project which is aimed at converting coal to liquids in order to guarantee oil product security for Botswana. Another project is the Tshele Hills Oil Storage which entails construction of bulk petroleum products storage tank farm and ancillary installations near the Tshele Hills in Rasesa, Kgatleng District.
The last energy project under this ministry is the Cross-border multi-product supply pipeline which entails the construction of a 300km pipeline from Tarlton in South Africa to Tshele Hills in Botswana for supply of petroleum products. The Ikaegeng XTL and Tshele Hill projects are at the procurement of private party stage while the Cross-border multi-product supply pipeline is at the procurement of consultant stage.
One of the water projects earmarked for PPP under the Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs includes the Glen Valley Wastewater Reclamation which entails upgrading the wastewater treatment plant and wastewater reclamation for potable use. The project’s feasibility study is being reviewed. Another project under this ministry is the Namibia – Botswana Water Saline Desalination.
It entails the development of a Desalinated water conveyance system from the Windhoek supply scheme to the Greater Gaborone area and en-route villages such as Ghanzi, Kgalagadi and the Northwest Districts and it is at the procurement of consultant stage. The last project under this ministry is the Chobe-Zambezi Water Transfer Scheme which entails the Construction and operation of a water supply pipeline from Kazungula to Moralane and the status of this project shows that its feasibility study is ongoing.
Infrastructure projects lined up under the Ministry of Transport and Public Works include the Mmamabula-Lephalale Rail Link which entails the Construction of a Railway Line from Mmamabula to Lephalale-SA for the transportation of coal and the Mosetse-Kazungula Rail Link which involves Construction of a Railway Line from Mosetse to Kazungula.
Their feasibility study is ongoing. Public works earmarked for PPP under the Ministry of Education and Skills Development include student residence facilities which entails the Construction and maintenance of student residences at Botswana International University of Science and Technology in Palapye and it is at the procurement of private party stage.
The Ministry of Defence and Security will engage the private sector for the Construction and maintenance of head office accommodation and staff housing for Botswana Prisons Service in Gaborone as well as the construction and maintenance of head office accommodation and staff housing for Botswana Prisons Service in Gaborone. The feasibility study for these projects is ongoing.
For its part, the Administration of Justice will engage the private sector for its Serowe Magistrate Court and Staff Houses which entails the construction and maintenance of the Magistrate Court in Serowe. The status of this project shows that its feasibility study is ongoing.
Under the Ministry of Health, the private sector will be engaged for the construction of Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority BOMRA Lab and Offices. The project shall entail construction of offices, a laboratory, a confiscation warehouse, and a drug incineration facility.
Its feasibility study is ongoing.Under the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture there will be construction of a state theatre facility for performing arts and the project’s feasibility study is ongoing. There shall also be construction of head office accommodation for the Auditor General and the project’s status shows that it is at the procurement of consultant stage.
THE AUTHOR: Staff Writer, Business Weekly
