06 Sep 2020

The Ministry of Transport and Communication has conceded that the 100-kilometer Letlhakeng/Khutse gate road deserves immediate attention.

Speaking after a tour prompted by MP Friction Leuwe’s call for action over the appalling condition of the road, Minister Thulagano Segokgo said there was an urgent need to expedite the project.

“We are very much aware of the need to expedite construction of Letlhakeng/Khutse road as it will not only benefit communities around, but act as link road to the tourism area where Batswana will ultimately benefit as a result,” he said.

He said although the country continued to experience increasing challenges impacting on development plans, the road needed to be improved to ease access to neighbouring villages.

Minister Segokgo explained to the village leadership during stopovers at Letlhakeng, Khudumelapye, Salajwe and Kaudwane that government was committed to undertaking promised development projects but was constrained by the state of the economy.

He called for mutual understanding between field owners and officials to ease layout process in case the project was considered.

The issue, he said, also affected land boards which needed to ensure that new allocations did not encroach onto road reserves to avoid unnecessary escalation of costs.

Meanwhile a Letlhakeng Roads Department report has revealed that the district continued to experience inadequate funding due to budget cuts.

It says the vastness of the district and frequent breakdowns of grader machines were among obstacles impeding efforts to attend to gravel roads in distress including the Letlhakeng/Khutse one.

The report states that the situation may persist as P6 million was required for gravelling alone against an annual allocation of P2.5 million for same purpose which was far below the proposed P11 million.   
District leadership in the four villages of Letlhakeng, Khudumelapye, Salajwe and Kaudwane during the minister’s brief stopover at their respective areas raised similar concerns about the state of the road and the need for its construction.

A Letlhakeng village leader, Mr Itsoseng Gaoonwe stated that the economic status of people residing in villages neighbouring the road was greatly affected because their areas were not accessible.

His sentiments were echoed by Salajwe councillor Lopang Sebutlenyane who expressed the worry that promises were never fulfilled.

He said the area continued to operate without meaningful economic activities as there was no way of luring investors into the region.

For his part, the area MP, Mr Leuwe expressed optimism that having obtained first hand information about the situation, the minister would take the necessary action. ENDS