Africa-Press – Botswana. In line with the Lobatse Town Council vision of rendering effective governance for improved and sustainable community livelihoods, Lobatse town mayor, Mr Aron Ganakgomo says the Lobatse tannery revitalisation project is progressing well and is expected to be complete by December, to open up employment opportunities.
Presenting a strategic roadmap during a Botswana Television district council’s interview on Monday, Mayor Ganakgomo said in order to boost the Lobatse’s economy and create employment opportunities, the council promoted a private sector led economy.
He said the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) was in the process of revitalising and operationalising the Lobatse tannery project, which included the refurbishment of the tannery to process hides and an effluent treatment plant expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Mr Ganakgomo said BMC diversified to broaden its product portfolio through construction of a new meat value addition and processing plant, to include other value chains anticipated to be operational by June next year.
He said land servicing remained a challenge which caused slow land allocation as well as attracting investors.
Nonetheless, Mr Ganakgomo underscored that Lobatse had great potential to develop as it was strategically positioned on key economic routes; A1 Road and A2 Road along the Trans Kalahari Corridor and it was closer to two commercial borders; Pioneer Border Gate and Ramatlabama border, which placed it in a better position for facilitation of robust economic trade.
The mayor said currently, Lobatse was not economically vibrant hence the need to revitalise it, to create employment opportunities in the manufacturing sector especially for the youth.
“We want to position Lobatse as a cultural heritage tourism destination through operationalisation of our monuments and we do so through partnerships. We have already started and are in partnership with the Ukraine Embassy and Sweden,” he said.
He explained that heritage tourism would serve to attract visitors and generate revenue for development of the local economy.
Additionally, he said Lobatse played a meaningful role in the liberation struggle during the apartheid regime by bringing political stability in the Southern African region where icons such as the late South Africa president Nelson Mandela, and former president of Mozambique Samora Machel had sought refuge during such times.
He underscored that Lobatse was a town of many firsts hence the need to develop its heritage sites to attract domestic and foreign investment.
The mayor noted that Lobatse was designated as a meat Special Economic Zone, with the vision of turning it into a meat and leather city and therefore, plans were underway to realise this critical element which was anticipated to economically transform Lobatse.
Additionally, he said the council should identify strategic industry development partners to work with as well as foster local economic participation and promote inclusivity.
Mr Ganakgomo said that there were numerous opportunities in different sectors which presented opportunities for the youth to participate, adding that the youth and the business community could harness the value chains of the tannery and other upcoming projects.
Meanwhile, he said the environment for doing business was not so conducive as some companies folded due to low profit though the council continued to find ways of facilitating businesses, to ensure that they were profitable and remained anchored at Lobatse.
On other issues he said, akin to any other town, they faced challenges of taking services to the people due to resource constraints as such they have resorted to forming formidable business partnerships, encourage shared responsibility and have taken a decision to hold a round table with the business community to discuss challenges faced and how they could collectively deal with them.
He said they have drawn a three-year roadmap in line with Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs Decentralisation Policy to seamlessly facilitate the community, adding that the council shall employ robust revenue maximisation strategy for financial sustainability,
Lack of employment, according to Mr Ganakgomo remained a challenge hence the need to create job opportunities adding that the council was committed to serving the people through prioritising their needs and expectations into government plans.
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