A contentious dispute between the government and the residents of Pilikwe village over plans for a multi-million-pula radioactive storage facility has taken a decisive turn. Authorities have now identified a new prospective site, the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) in Palapye.
The proposed facility, which encountered staunch opposition from Pilikwe’s inhabitants for several months, is now slated for construction on the university’s main campus. Villagers in Pilikwe had vehemently opposed the project, voicing concerns about potential health hazards and security risks associated with storing radioactive materials. They also called for greater transparency regarding the long-term safety implications of the facility.
Addressing inquiries from WeekendPost, BIUST spokesperson Godfrey Kgopana confirmed the university’s commitment to hosting the project. “BIUST will house a multi-million-pula state-of-the-art radioactive storage facility,” he stated.
Kgopana elaborated that the university’s decision followed extensive consultations with the government, specifically through the Ministry of Communications and Innovation. This initiative forms part of a broader governmental strategy aimed at enhancing the management of radioactive materials within Botswana.
He emphasized that the facility will play a critical role in the proper handling of spent, unused, and impounded radioactive sources nationwide. “BIUST was established by government to expand opportunities for higher education in science, engineering and technology while advancing research and innovation,” Kgopana noted.
Furthermore, he highlighted that radioactive sources no longer fit for their original purpose could be repurposed for academic use. “These sources will be used in research and teaching programmes aimed at producing employable and work-ready graduates in nuclear science and technology,” he explained.
The university is also preparing to launch the Botswana Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology (BCNST), which will focus on translating scientific research into practical industrial and technological applications. The centre is anticipated to bolster development across several sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and water management.
“BIUST agreed to absorb the envisaged national radioactive storage and management facility as part of its multidisciplinary nuclear science and technology teaching laboratories to be established at BCNST,” Kgopana added.
As a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Botswana is legally bound by international agreements to ensure the safe management of radioactive materials within its borders. In 2015, Botswana signed the IAEA Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management.
“The construction of a national radioactive storage and management facility forms part of Botswana’s obligations under these international agreements,” Kgopana remarked. He also noted that the project could enhance national security by ensuring radioactive materials are securely controlled and protected from criminal or terrorist exploitation.
The university explained that the facility will be a single-storey structure equipped with specialized shielding designed to prevent radiation exposure. Currently, Botswana lacks a permanent disposal site for radioactive materials. The proposed facility is expected to operate for approximately 50 years before being decommissioned.
An environmental consultancy consortium comprising Environmental Management Consultancy (Pty) Ltd, Enviro-Meta (Pty) Ltd, and Onx-Biggs (Pty) Ltd has been contracted to conduct a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment. This assessment will evaluate potential environmental consequences and propose mitigation strategies, monitoring plans, and a comprehensive decommissioning framework.
The decision to relocate the project follows years of tension with Pilikwe residents. In March 2022, then Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology Douglas Letsholathebe engaged in consultations with traditional leaders in Pilikwe to resolve the dispute. However, after prolonged negotiations failed to yield consensus, the government abandoned plans for the Pilikwe site and began considering alternative locations, including public universities.
BIUST subsequently expressed interest in hosting the facility as part of its nuclear science and technology academic programmes. Kgopana confirmed that leaders and residents of Palapye have since consented to host the project, with public consultations under the Environmental Impact Assessment process commencing on 16 April 2025.
Despite the site change, the project’s realization remains contingent on funding availability, with the government intending to commence construction during National Development Plan 12.