Africa-Press – Botswana. In yet another Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, Far Property has collaborated with the Sese Village Development Committee (VDC) to develop a P25 million commercial centre under a 25-year lease agreement.
Sitting on a 9,273sqm piece of land, the property is expected to house a supermarket, a hardware store, retail shops and a post office, among other facilities.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony on Friday, Far Property director, Mr Ramachandran Ottapathu noted that once complete in approximately seven months, the project would not only provide convenience for Sese residents and those in the peripheries, but would also create the much-needed jobs to the local communities.
He noted that some jobs would be created during the construction phase, while the development would also stimulate economic activity in the informal sector. He noted that the investment was in line with their commitment to delivering value to the communities around Botswana.
“We view this as a long-term investment in the economic and social development of Sese village. Today’s ceremony signifies not only the commencement of construction, but also our confidence in the future of this community and our commitment to delivering developments of enduring value,” he said.
Mabutsane District Council deputy chairperson, Mr Obakeng Melome explained that for a journey that started two years ago, the delay was attributed to the lease processing for the construction to finally commence.
He said the partnership resonated with his council’s commitment to bringing services closer to the people and supporting the communities to be empowered.
“This project will create employment, stimulate the local economy and improve service delivery in Sese and surroundings,” he noted.
Subsequently, he urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the project was delivered within time and scope.
The District Commissioner for Mabutsane, Mr Dick Kalantle described the ground-breaking as a dream come true for the district leadership and the community, considering Sese’s growing population.
“The biggest concern was that Sese has a large population but does not have a supermarket,” he said.
He called for all parties to the agreement to ensure that they did their part of the contractual obligation. He also urged public officers to effectively play their role of facilitating the project to ensure mutual benefit for the parties involved.
Furthermore, Mr Kalantle appealed to residents to be committed and work diligently in various jobs and roles offered.
In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Justice Motlhalane said he was elated to witness the commencement of a project that had been in the offing for the past two years.
He said the development of a commercial centre was testament that the village had grown in leaps and bounds. He also appreciated the job opportunities that would be created throughout all processes, both directly and indirectly.
