06 Jul 2016

Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo says projects to turn Gaborone-Lobatse and Metsimotlhabe-Molepolole highways into dual carriageways are among road projects deferred by his ministry over the last ten years.

Mr Mabeo however informed Parliament on Monday that Phase One of the Gaborone-Lobatse dualling, which involves construction of the stretch between Gaborone and Boatle would be done under Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP).

Answering a question from Gabane- Mmankgodi MP Major General Pius Mokgware, the minister said design of the highway was completed.

He said other shelved roads projects that would be constructed through ESP are the rehabilitation of Mogoditshane-Gabane-Mmankgodi Junction road, Molepolole-Letlhakeng, Dibete-Mookane-Machaneng, Mmamashia- Oodi-Mabalane and Tshesebe- Masunga roads.

Major Gen Mokgware had asked the minister to state the number of road projects completed and shelved in the last ten years.

Mr Mabeo said other roads that have been shelved include the Sebina- Ramokgwebana, Selebi Phikwe –Sefophe, Maun- Sehitlhwa, Tutume- Maitengwe, Sefophe- Martins Drift, and Lobatse- Kanye roads.

He further said design of the tourism link roads between Letlhakeng, Khudumelapye, Salajwe and Khutse, and the Bokspits- Struizendam road have not yet started.

Mr Mabeo indicated that among the 31 constructed road projects, 18 have been completed while others have additional works being done. He said completed projects include the Nata- Kazungula, Kang-Hukuntsi, Toromoja- Mopipi and Mmadikola access roads. ENDS