Rethabile Pitso
THE completion of the highly anticipated Quality Infrastructure Building at the Tikoe Industrial Area has been delayed due to persistent heavy rains and unforeseen soil conditions, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has confirmed.
Director of Standards, Molebatsi Rabolinyane, said construction of the 10,000 square metre double-storey facility, which began in February 2025, is now expected to be completed in February 2027. The project had initially been scheduled for completion in May this year.
The delays are also likely to push the project’s initial cost of M260 million higher, although revised figures are still under review.
The facility is intended to bridge the gap between locally produced goods and access to international markets amid growing demand for Basotho products. Once complete, it will house approximately 37 laboratories dedicated to testing food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, construction materials, textiles and other locally manufactured products.
Mr Rabolinyane explained that unexpected geotechnical challenges had significantly slowed progress.
“With projects of this magnitude, completion can be earlier or slightly delayed. The construction team, Founda-NQS Joint Venture, encountered unanticipated challenges related to site specifications,” he said.
He said, while initial geotechnical tests suggested suitable soil conditions, further excavation revealed softer soil in some sections, forcing the team to dig deeper and reinforce the foundation.
“We took longer because we needed to achieve the required soil compactness. In some areas, the soil was softer than anticipated, which required additional work to stabilise the structure. In instances where specifications were not fully met, the contractor had to redo the work to avoid compromising the integrity of the building,” he said.
Construction has now progressed to the foundation stage, with workers installing raft foundations for structural pillars.
“They started at the front of the building and are working around it. Progress is monitored through consultants, and we hold monthly meetings to ensure everything remains on track.”
Mr Rabolinyane said the persistent rainfall over the past two months had further compounded delays.
“There has been excessive rainfall, increasing moisture content beyond acceptable levels as per laboratory tests. Under normal conditions, much more progress could have been achieved by now,” he said.
He expressed optimism that progress would improve during the winter months when weather conditions are more stable.
Despite the setbacks, Mr Rabolinyane said the project continued to receive strong support from authorities due to its potential economic impact.
“This is a flagship project with significant backing because of its potential to create jobs and stimulate local manufacturing. It is expected to encourage Basotho to produce more goods and access international markets. It will be a game changer for the industry.”
He also confirmed that earlier challenges related to contractor payments had been resolved.
“That was a minor procedural issue which has since been addressed,” he said.
Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing between the ministry and the contractor to determine the financial implications of the extended timeline.
“We are reviewing the cost adjustments with relevant stakeholders to arrive at accurate figures,” he said.
Mr Rabolinyane emphasised that the ministry continued to offer support services to businesses despite the delayed completion of the facility.
“We are not waiting for the building to be completed to provide services. We continue to offer consultations and guidance to entrepreneurs who approach us.”
He urged Basotho businesses to utilise local expertise instead of relying on laboratories in neighbouring South Africa.
“There is sufficient capacity within the country. What is needed is coordination, as standards cut across multiple sectors,” he said, expressing concern about the reliability of some foreign laboratories.
Data collected through the National Inquiry Point (NIP) indicates that the food manufacturing sector remains the most active among local entrepreneurs.
“In 2014, we recorded 44 applications in food and beverages, rising to around 66 in 2024,” he said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, there was a noticeable shift, with increased applications for sanitisers, chemicals and pesticide-related products, including soap manufacturing.
More recently, between 2025 and 2026, there has been growing interest in environmental energy and appliances, particularly in the assembly of solar products.
“We are currently working with a young innovator developing various types of weighing scales for both domestic and industrial use. This reflects the growing creativity and innovation within the sector,” Mr Rabolinyane said.
