01 Dec 2014

The reconstruction of Francistown-Nata Road has not been included in NDP 10, the Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Mr Nonofo Molefhi, has said. 

“However, the reconstruction of the Sebina-Nata Road was included in NDP 10 and its design was completed in February 2009,” he added.

Responding to a question in parliament from Shashe West MP, Mr Fidelis Molao, on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo, Mr Molefhi said the reconstruction of the road was shelved due to the global economic meltdown experienced immediately after the completion of the design. 

The Ministry of Transport and Communications, Mr Molefhi said, however continued to deploy maintenance teams along the Francistown-Nata road to do routine maintenance on as and when the need arose. 

Currently, he said Francistown team was working between Mathangwane and Lephashe Road, whilst the Nata team was along the Sowa Junction and Lephashe Road.“As we undertake NDP 11 plan considerations, the Francistown-Nata Road will be in the basket of projects for evaluation and prioritisation. It is still early for a definitive answer due to the ongoing NDP 11 consultations,” he added.

Shashe West MP had wanted to know if the Minister would consider re-constructing the Francistown-Nata Road in the near future to widen it in view of its current dilapidated state and for it to accommodate the ever increasing traffic volumes 

Mr Molao had also wasnted to know what immediate plans were in place to up the standard of the road as a gateway to economic hubs, such as Maun and Kasane. ENDS