Phase two of new Bhisho offices gets green light

Premier Phumulo Masualle’s executive council has given the go-ahead for the rollout of phase two of the new multimillion-rand Bhisho offices.

Premier Phumulo Masualle’s executive council gives the go-ahead for the roll-out of phase two of the new multimillion-rand Bhisho offices.

Public Works MEC Thandiswa Marawu’s spokesman, Mphumzi Zuzile, said construction was expected to start in December next year.

Masualle’s spokeswoman, Nomfanelo Kota, confirmed this week that the executive council received a progress report on the Bhisho office precinct after the feasibility study was finalised.

“The precinct will also consolidate Bhisho as a political and administrative capital and will kick- start economic development and massive job creation in the broader Bhisho,” Kota said.

The project will see more than 2690 Bhisho officials from seven provincial government departments that are now renting office space in East London and in the King William’s Town area, moved to provincial capital Bhisho.

“Currently the project steering committee estimates R950-million will be required, for water supply [R100-million] and sewerage reticulation [R850-million] for bulk infrastructure in both King William’s Town and Bhisho,” Kota said.

Zuzile said construction was expected to start at the end of next year, “subject to other approvals from national Treasury”. Construction was expected to take two to three years.

Other progress reports, including one on rural roads and resurfacing, were also tabled.

Kota said the executive council resolved to prioritise roads leading to national health insurance pilot sites, as well as rural roads on scholar transport and tourism routes.