06 Dec 2016

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has says measureable progress was realised in the completion of mega roads projects.

He highlighted this when delivering State-of-the-Nation Address in Parliament on Monday (December 5). He said the bulk of development budget was used for continuation of road infrastructure projects, including the Tonota - Francistown dual road, road sector investment and Kazungula Bridge.

He stated that the Tonota-Francistown dual carriageway had been completed and opened to traffic, while the Thapama interchange junction was anticipated to be complete by February 2017. He added that construction had also commenced on the Charleshill-Ncojane road in June.

Regarding the Kazungula Bridge Project, President Khama said temporary works on the Zambian side are complete, whilst it is 86 percent on the Botswana side. “Overall permanent bridge works are at 13 percent completion,” he explained. 

Concerning the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) implementation in the road sector, President Khama said the primary goal is to decongest public highways.

“The following roads projects are being implemented under ESP, dualling of Gaborone–Boatle, Mogoditshane–Gabane–Mmankgodi and Molepolole internal roads, as well as the upgrading of Dibete-Mookane–Machaneng,” Lt Gen. Dr Khama explained.

Lt Gen. Dr Khama said other road projects implemented under ESP are Mabeleapudi–Serule, Tshesebe–Masunga road and Mmandunyane–Mathangwane roads to bitumen standard, adding that access roads like the Thalamabele-Mosu, Radisele-Pilikwe, Thamaga-Kubung, Moshupa-Manyana and Goodhope-Kgoro-Gathwane roads are at procurement stage.

He also said government would implement the National Multi-Modal Transport Master Plan and Greater Gaborone Transport Master Plan to provide a more efficient and cost effective integrated transport system.

On the aviation sector he stated that the new Air Traffic Control Tower and Technical Block at Maun Airport were completed and handed over in May 2016, while the Kasane Terminal building project was expected to be completed in April 2017. ENDS