09 Jul 2017

Ministry of Transport and Communications does not have plans to upgrade the New Xade road in the current NDP11 because of lack of funds, the minister has informed Ntlo Ya Dikgosi.

Mr Kitso Mokaila said the ministry would, however, continue to maintain the road with available resources to keep it in good condition.

Kgosi Lobatse Beslag of Ghanzi West region had asked the minister when the New Xade road would be tarred. Minister Mokaila informed Ntlo Ya Dikgosi that his ministry had no plans to upgrade to bitumen standard the 7km road from Tsabong-Sekoma road to Maleshe under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) and NDP11 due to budgetary constraints.

Kgosi David Toto II of Kgalagadi South region had asked the minister if the ministry would consider using ESP to tar the said road as it was in a bad state.

Kgosi Toto II said the bad state of the road was hampering easy movement by residents and service delivery especially in education, heath, public transport and the business community.

The Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Kitso Mokaila has informed Ntlo ya Dikgosi that plans to construct the Ghanzi airport was deferred due to the moratorium on new projects.

Mr Mokaila said the project was funded during NDP10 after designs were completed in 2009, but was since suspended due to the moratorium.

He said the project was at standstill due to the prevailing funding constraints. He noted that the project was not planned for under NDP11.

 Mr Mokaila said in the meantime, the ministry would continue to undertake maintenance of the existing airfield to ensure safe operating conditions.

Kgosi Justice Moseki had asked the minister to update the House on the progress made regarding the construction of an airport in Ghanzi. ENDS