03 Aug 2014

Kgosi David Adam of Shashe Mooke has commended the Francistown City Council (FCC) for the construction of the Gerald Estate-Shashe Mooke road.



Speaking at the handing over of the road on Thursday (July 31), Kgosi Adam said the road has made Francistown easily accessible to the residents of Shashe Mooke, especially during the rainy season.

 Kgosi Adam lamented that before the construction of the bridge, a number of people died trying to cross Shashe River, while some vehicles were swept away by the flooding river.



For his part, Francistown City Mayor, Councillor James Kgalajwe said the road was planned for during the Urban Development Plan (UDP) 2 and could not be constructed due to the financial meltdown.

 He said during the budget review, the road was prioritised and in 2012 the Ministry of Lands and Housing funded the construction. 



The Mayor applauded those who paved way for the construction of the road and said about P85 400 was used as compensation for the residents.



He noted that although the road will ease travelling, just like any other road, it has the potential of bringing casualties and he implored the village authorities to speak strongly against drunken driving.



Mr Kgalajwe said his council will be responsible for servicing and maintaining the road from the Gerald Estate side up to the bridge, while the Tonota sub-council will be responsible for the road from the bridge up to the kgotla.



FCC Chief Civil and Mechanical Engineering officer, Mr Thuto Obakeng said the construction of the P72 million road, which encompasses the bridge commenced in January last year.



He said although the project initially did not include the link road to the kgotla and had to be included, it was completed within the timeframe and budget.



Mr Obakeng said the road is still on defect liability period until January, 2015 and any minor defects could be reported to the contractor, who is still on site.



The VDC chairperson, Mr Anderson Moalosi suggested that speed humps should be erected on the road towards the T-junction at Gerald Estate because drivers failed to slow down despite the chevron.



He also suggested that the speed on the road should be increased from 60 km/h to 80km/h outside the village.



In his vote of thanks, the area councilor, Mr Isaac Mabechu said the road contributed significantly to the growth of the village as the population has increased from about 2000 to 3500.



He said Shashe Mooke residents who used to stay in Francistown because the road was bad have relocated back to the village and commute on a daily basis. ENDS