Karabo Sename
9 November 2009
Francistown — The construction work of the new Francistown Stadium is expected to be complete in April - two months behind schedule, a senior architect responsible for the project has said.
James Tasetlhabi said they have done 58 percent of the work during a tour by the new Minister of Sport, Youth and Culture on Friday. He explained that initially, the design of the stadium was similar to that of sports complexes built in Molepolole, Maun and Masunga but this was changed to meet World Cup standards. The stadium's holding capacity has, however, been reduced from 30,000 to 27,000. The facility is being built at a cost of P175 million.
The project's industrial and public relations manager, Lawrence Nasha blamed lack of skilled manpower in various fields such as bricklaying and carpentry for the delay in completing the works.
He said that they have written letters to six Permanent Secretaries in government ministriesseeking help but got no response. Nasha said they wanted the government to waive the conditions attached to the recruitment of engineers and experts from China.The government has since responded positively to the manpower request.
Kgathi dismissed the issue of manpower as a valid reason for the delay. He said manpower shortage can be resolved overnight. He said he does not see how it can hold the project back.
He promised to engage the relevant ministry on the issue of work permits. Kgathi urged contractors to stick to instructions and project specifications to avoid unnecessary expenditure or what happened in the case of the Serowe Stadium. The Serowe Stadium was built on soil which was not suitable for such structures and had to be abandoned, although the government had already spent millions.
Kgathi told contractors that they have no choice but to work tirelessly to ensure that the facility is completed before the 2010 World Cup.
He said his involvement with the Francistown stadium project stretches back to his days when he was the director of the Department of Sports and Recreation. He said during his tenure as director, he secured a plot for the stadium. He said his visit was to check progress on the project and ensure that there are no obstacles to the successful completion of the stadium. "I am confident that the project has turned the fortunes of the people of Francitown and will benefit them in terms of job creation," Kgathi said.
The minister added that since Francistown is the epi-centre of the northern region, clubs from Zimbabwe and Zambia might utilise the stadium. He said the government is optimistic that some countries coming for the 2010 World Cup will camp in Botswana.
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