23 Aug 2018

Minster of Transport and Communications, Mr Kitso Mokaila has assured residents of Makalamabedi that efforts are being made to secure funds for the construction of a road that connects their village with Motlopi.

He said before the end of the month they would travel to China on a state visit with President Mokgweetsi Masisi to request P10 billion for the upgrading of identified major roads which were in a bad condition across the country.

He calmed residents during a kgotla meeting and urged them to be patient as government was aware of the condition of the road and doing something to address the situation.

Mr Mokaila said they had been in talks with China with regard to the ministry’s needs and he expressed hope that negotiations would bore fruit.

He said his ministry had instructed roads engineers to work on the designs of all earmarked roads which included the Makalamabedi /Motlopi road.

Mr Mokaila appreciated that the road was included in NDP11 but could not be implemented because of inadequate budget, adding that the road had now been planned for the 2022/23 financial year.

He informed residents that the ministry’s intention was to tar the road once funding was secured even before the planned period, as they understand its importance to the livelihoods of the communities.

He said his ministry needed a huge budget as construction of roads was costly and assured residents that once they came back from the trip, they would update them.

Mr Mokaila revealed that while waiting for budget, they would gravel the road to ensure it was usable and attractive.

“Give me some time and trust me, I cannot neglect the vice president’s area because we as ministers should not let our leadership down,” he added.

He also informed them that plans were underway to improve the transport sector.

On other issues, Mr Mokaila informed them that he had been tasked to transform the ministry which faced many challenges, and pointed out that there had been visible progress as he had to assemble a team which shared the same mission with him.

He said they had realised that a lot of money was not put to good use, and stated that this time they wanted to ensure projects were completed within time and budget.

Mr Mokaila also encouraged residents to utilise Kitsong centres which aimed to bring technology services closer to them.

The centre provides services such as Internet, photocopying, laminating, faxing, typing and printing.  He said the ministry wants the public to access services through technology in an effort to reduce congestion in offices.

He, however, cited the renewal of driving licences, bookings for road tests and other services. He also stated that residents could apply for identity cards through the Internet.

Residents welcomed the technology, noting that it would speed up services and reduce long distances they travelled and long queues at offices.

The permanent secretary in the ministry, Mr Kabelo Ebineng advised drivers to educate themselves, adding that new cars had electronics and gadgets that drivers must interpret.

He was responding to comments raised by some residents who wanted to know how people who could not read and write be assisted to acquire drivers’ licences. Ends