Africa-Press – Botswana. Chobe Marina management and staff in Kasane have been lauded for vacating guests and staff to safety, which resulted in no casualties during fire outbreak on November 17.
The incident was said to be a setback to the tourism industry and Botswana as a whole as the facility employed hundreds of workers.
Minister of Environment and Tourism, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi said on November 27 during his visit to the lodge to appreciate damages caused by the recent inferno, which damaged part of the lodge.
Mr Mmolotsi said he felt compelled as minister responsible for tourism and hospitality industry to capitalise on his visit to Kasane for the Botswana Tourism Travel Expo and pay a visit to Chobe Marina to sympathise with them.
Briefing the minister on the damage caused, the Group Executive chairperson of Realestate group, Mr Guido Giachetti said it was disheartening to see their lodge built 25 years ago gutted by fire.
He said the fire started in the kitchen and ravaged administration block, kitchen, bar and one block of accommodation. Mr Giachetti said they were committed to rebuild the lodge so that business would be restored.
He said it would cost them about P80 million to rebuild adding that the assessment was still ongoing.
Moreover, he said it was too early for them to conclude if they would maintain the old building or demolish the remaining structures.
“It is important to assess and renew the building, which would come after an environmental assessment from council and a permit to demolish and rebuild so that we stand back on our feet.”
Mr Giachetti said they were working on redeploying their staff to some of their lodges across the country so that they remained engaged and on the payroll.
He expressed relief over the fact that no casualties were recorded during the incident.
Mr Giachetti thanked Kasane community for lending a helping hand during the fire outbreak to assist the disaster response team.
MP for Chobe constituency, Mr Simasiku Mapulanga applauded Chobe Marina Lodge for acting swiftly during the incident to ensure that clients and staff were rescued to safety.
He expressed confidence in Chobe Marina Lodge team noting that he believed they would rebuild in due course and be back in business.
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