17 Oct 2024

The nation is encouraged to guard against any destruction that may occur on national roads, to ensure a longer lifespan.

Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony for construction of the 58-km access roads in Barolong area on Wednesday, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said protecting infrastructure such as roads, needed to be paid attention to and he encouraged the community to report any damages to relevant authorities.

President Masisi appealed to motorists to exercise caution on the roads to avoid accidents that might lead to damages. He said it was sad that some roads were associated with bad accidents that could had been avoided.

The said road project is awarded to Tau Grading and Building Construction, a Botswana citizen owned company, to the tune of P654 million and the contract was signed in Ngwatsau on March 1, and now proceeding to construction stage, which is expected to take 24 months.

The road will cover Rakhuna-Ngwatsau-Sheepfarm-Malokaganyane road link (21km), Dinatshana-Pitsane-Potlokwe-A1 road link (6km), the Dinatshana-Bethele-Kgoro (10km) link as well as access roads to Gamajaalela (7km), Sekokwane (3km), Mogwalale (2.5km), Mosi (7km) and Phitshane Molopo Border (1.5Km).

President Masisi said government made promises to Batswana and was obliged to deliver on those. 

“Upon completion, these roads will ease access to markets. Make use of government empowerment programmes such as Chema Chema and Maja-A-Ikgorosa for improved livelihoods,” President Masisi said and added that the main aim was to attain Vision 2036 aspirations.

Giving an overview of the project, Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale said the project would empower communities in those areas as they would be hired.

Mr Molale, also former Member of Parliament for the area, said he was happy that Barolong area had received most of the developments that were planned for, such as water, roads, communications, electricity and the elevation to a full district council.

“We are going to try and give you a super job. We do not take short cuts,” said Tau Grading and Building general manager, Mr Christiaan Lemcke.  

His company, he mentioned, had 98 per cent of its employees as Batswana.

Goodhope District Council chairperson, Mr Kenaleone Motsaathebe commended government for its inclusiveness.

“We welcome these developments and we promise to take good care of them,” he said. ENDS