07 Apr 2014

Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Nonofho Molefhi has informed Parliament that the Machaneng/Makwate Road is part of the Dibete/Mookane/Machaneng Road, which was planned for construction during National Development Plan (NDP) 10.

Responding to a question in Parliament, Minister Molefhi said the design of Dibete/Mookane/Machaneng Road was completed during NDP 10, but due to the global economic meltdown, the construction part had been deferred.

He acknowledged that the Parr’s Halt/Makwate/Machaneng Road and Parr’s Halt/Makwate/Shakwe Road were key tourism connecting routes into central and northern tourism destinations.

The Shakwe/Makwate/Parr’s Halt border post road, he said was designed separately, adding that such design was also completed in NDP 10 plan period.

“The construction of this road to bituminous standard has also been deferred due to the global economic meltdown,” he said. In the interim, Mr Molefhi said his ministry was carrying out the maintenance intervention in the form of dry grading.

He further informed the house that the last intervention was carried from March 22 to March 2014 on Machaneng/Makwate and started on Parr’s Halt border post/Shakwe on March 31 adding that it was scheduled to be completed on April 4.

He said a national road infrastructure assessment was underway and the results will be used to determine the long term solution of the said roads.Minister Molefhi was responding to a question asked by Tswapong North MP, Mr Prince Maele.

MP Maele had asked the Minister whether he will consider tarring the Machaneng – Makwate – Parr’s Halt border post and Shakwe – Makwate – Parr’s Halt border post roads to cater for the increased movement of people and goods following the closure of the Martin’s Drift boarder post and its socio – economic and strategic importance. Ends