Africa-Press – Botswana. The acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti says the construction of the multi-species abattoir which began in January 2021, has experienced delays and cost escalations, pushing the revised completion date to July 31.
Answering a question from Kgalagadi North MP, Mr Reason Lekutlane in Parliament on yesterday, Dr Dikoloti confirmed that construction work was now completed, with the plant undergoing testing and commissioning and the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) set to operate the facility.
Mr Lekhutlane had also sought to know the initial and revised timelines and costs of the multi-species abattoir and whether the project was progressing as planned. However, Dr Dikoloti explained that due to several factors among them delays and cost escalations, the project which initially cost P161,789,275 ended up at P201,110,573.45.
He said the targeted completetion date of July 6, 2022 also had to be revised. The acting minister explained that the delays were mainly due to difficulties in procuring specialised equipment, which had to be custom-designed, manufactured and shipped from countries such as Hungary and South Africa.
Also, he said the increase in steel prices, inflation and general time overruns also contributed to the delays and cost escalation. Minister Dikoloti added that mitigation measures included intensified project supervision by the ministry’s Project Implementation Unit. Nonetheless, the minister cautioned that final costs could still exceed the revised budget.
Addressing whether Kgalagadi North farmers were considered in the planning process, Dr Dikoloti noted that the multi-species abattoir was approved through a resolution of the Rural Development Council (RDC), following a formal proposal by the Kgalagadi District Council.
He stated that the main motivation behind the project was the lack of slaughter facilities and organised markets in a region that holds over 80,000 small-stock animals. Dr Dikoloti further indicated that prior to construction, extensive consultations were held between the Kgalagadi District Council and local farmers’ associations.
He said as part of the preparations, a benchmarking visit was organised for Kgalagadi farmers to tour operational abattoirs in Namibia and South Africa. Dr Dikoloti said to ensure the abattoir’s viability, government revived the Lobu Small Stock Farm to provide breeding stock to local farmers. Additionally, he mentioned that two paddocks had been set aside for private investment in small stock production to support supply to the abattoir.
He emphasised that the BMC had been appointed as the operator of the facility and was expected to actively engage with livestock farmers, including those in Kgalagadi North and other districts, to secure throughput. However, in addressing the specific concern about transport challenges and predator risks, the minister acknowledged the issue.
“I must admit, this does not account for lions and other such predators,” he said.
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