18 Sep 2024

After constructing major water infrastructure projects in recognition of its critical importance, government has decided to shift to road infrastructure projects.

Speaking at the groundbreaking of the Mogoditshane-Gabane-Mmankgodi Road recently, Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale emphasised the significance of the transition to road projects.

He said water was life and government had to prioritise its availability.  “Now that the projects have been completed, a decision was made to focus on road infrastructure which will also impact the country’s development,” he said.

Minister Molale said eight access road projects across the country would be constructed to improve the country’s transportation network. He named them as the Mmankgodi-Manyana-Moshupa road, Thamaga-Kubung road, Lesenepole-Mosweu-Mokokwana-Maunatlala, Borobadilepe-Hebron-Mokatako, Makobo-Mathangwane, Bobonong-Lepokole, Rakops-Xere and Kokong junction road.

He noted that his ministry had secured funding for the eight roads and that construction would commence soon. He said additional funding for other road infrastructure projects was needed, noting the critical role played by roads in revitalising the economy and generating employment opportunities for citizens.

Minister Molale emphasised that roads were key in facilitating trade and tourism. “When we prioritise roads that connect our country to others such as the A1 and A2 linking Botswana with Namibia and Zambia, we create an opportunity for goods and services to be easily transported across borders,” he said. He also noted that roads linked production and consumption areas for more efficient distribution of resources.

Furthermore, he said once the roads were completed, toll rates would be reduced to encourage more trucks to transport goods to and from these regions.

The minister said the high volume of trucks passing through the Martin’s Drift Border post underscored the need to construct a bridge to facilitate trade and commerce in the region. 

He noted that the road was a major transit point for trucks travelling to and from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Botswana.

Minister Molale also said government planned to construct more roads in the future, including the Ghanzi-New Xade road, Otse-Dibete road and the Mohembo–Kudigwa road.

Furthermore, he outlined plans to introduce toll gates and personalised license plates to generate revenue for road maintenance, highlighting the importance of ensuring that motorists who avoided toll gates had alternative routes.

He said the Dibete–Machaneng, Mmandunyane-Mathangwane and Serowe-Paje-Serule roads would provide alternative routes for motorists. Ends