03 Apr 2017

The Vice President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has commended Mochudi community together with Kgatleng District for demonstrating the spirit of Ipelegeng.

The Vice President who toured Letsibogo la Phalane in Mochudi appreciated efforts by the community in trying to build a bridge across Notwane River to access an agricultural production area.

Kgatleng District through a collaborative effort with the community has embarked on a project to construct an access road and a bridge at Phalane across Notwane River.

Mr Masisi was invited through Member of Parliament for Mochudi West Mr Gilbert Mangole to appreciate efforts by the community and where possible assist with funding towards the technical expertise of the project.

The bridge once complete will connect to an Economic Stimulus Project of 27.5 km dry grading under the agricultural ministry which is meant to ease travel by farmers. Currently the community with the help of DeWet drilling company managed to construct a temporary foot bridge at a cost of P40 000.

Mr Masisi applauded the community for coming up with the initiative that would help farmers and asked the district leadership together with umbrella VDC to help in repairing the foot bridge.

The Vice President said the 27.5 km Kgamanyane-Ramakolanyane project under ESP was meant to create jobs by opening the road to production areas where harvest can be collected and sold at ease.

Mr Masisi noted that this was a business cycle that will benefit all hence the need for the project to be completed and maintained.

He said the 10 000 hectares of production land over Letsibogo la Phalane could yield lots of produce while water from the river would be used for irrigation.

When briefing the Vice President about the project Umbrella VDC chairperson Mr Wilfred Lebekwe said the construction of the bridge would provide accessibility to the agricultural production land of the north-eastern part of the district.He said Notwane River was a challenge for farmers especially during heavy rains and to that a feasibility study was conducted to establish road network and position of the bridge.

He also reported that dry grading of the Kgamanyane-Ramokolanyane road (27.5km) was ongoing through ESP and 21.5km had been done thus far.

Mr Letlotlo Kopong, one of the committee members said they had not allowed financial challenges to dampen their spirit, but vowed to look at the benefits that the bridge would bring.

 “We took it upon ourselves to do something about it hence we decided to work together as the community and share the cost.”

Mr Kopong said while money was still hard to come by, they decided to work with an alternative foot bridge adding that already four lives had been lost as people often tried crossing by stepping on stones.

Member of Parliament for Mochudi West Mr Gilbert Mangole thanked the Vice President for having taken time to appreciate their efforts. He said the visit gave them hope that the project would be done. ENDS