… Finance minister clarifies status of FISH
MBABANE – Following that the Finance minister only mentioned the ICC as one that should be completed in this financial year, this publica- tion sought clarity on the status of the Five Star Hotel known as FISH.
In particular, this publi- cation wanted to ascertain what government’s plans are regarding the hotel, especially since for some time, there had been an argument that there was a challenge with securing an operator.
In response, the minister made it clear that the FISH would not be completed at the same time as the ICC.
COMPLETION
He acknowledged that at some point the plan was for the two structures to be completed together but a realisation was made that by doing so, the completion date would be around 2027.
“So we decided that let us finish the ICC since it can operate without the FISH. :hat we are considering regarding the FISH is certain offers that we have as government of certain entities,” he said.
FUNCTIONAL
Even though the minister asked not to expand on the issue, this publication has gathered reports to the effect that the idea is to secure a third party to finish the hotel and run it for a period of time and then hand it over to government as a fully furnished and functional structure.
In the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development’s annual performance report for the financial year 2023/24, it is stated that currently, it is the Grey box that is substantially complete.
The hotel is situation on the northern end of the site and is linked to the ICC by a pedestrian bridge.
MULTIPURPOSE
The hotel comprises a total area of 51 000 square metres. It consists of seven floors including the basement, with a total of 299 rooms. Out of these, 263 are standard rooms, 20 junior suites, five executive suites, six presidential suites and five royal suites.
It also contains a central foyer, allday café, shopping and coffee shop, restaurant or ballroom, gymnasium, multipurpose rooms, outdoor decks and entertainment and a large swimming pool.
The hotel will also receive a silver LEED accreditation for water and