27 Jan 2021

Some residents of Moletemane in Bobonong constituency are optimistic that construction of a 19-kilometre block-paved access road into their village will open doors for developments. 

In an interview following a  site visit of the close to P46 million access road, some residents said that the road they had long agitated for to be a development in itself.

They hoped that the road would inter alia necessitate quick and free movement from the village to other parts of the constituency, particularly Bobonong that houses some critical amenities.

Through the block paved road, residents believe that public transport would now be able to operate between their village and others. Also, residents believe that such movement may kindle some business ventures in the process.

Moletemane village development committee (VDC) deputy secretary Mr Reuben Gape expressed hope that the road would not only usher in developments into their village, but would also encourage the residents to buy cars and ease the burden of movement.

“I expect that services which, hitherto, have been hindered by the terrible gravel road we had will now start to trickle into our village,” said Mr Gape.

The VDC member also was happy that the construction of the road had created employment, even if temporary, for some of the villagers who had been struggling financially.

However, Mr Gape cast doubt over durability of the block paved road against a tarred one. 

He argued that although he was not an engineer or authority in road construction, block paved road might have a shorter life span compared to the tarred road.

He was also concerned about the maintenance of the block paved road since the road would not be used only by light vehicles, but also some trucks heading to and from Richmark poultry farm.

In addition, Mr Gape said the road was ‘too narrow’ to allow for use by trucks. 

He argued that a truck may force off the road a vehicle coming from an opposing direction.

Another resident of the village, Mr Lucas Tshupo said that upon completion, the road would come in handy to the village which had been struggling with public transport.

“I hope that frequent vehicle damages due to poor terrain will come to an end when this road is finally in use,” said Mr Tshupo who believed that costs associated with damaged cars as a result of the poor road would also stop.

He opined that the current gravel road had impacted negatively on those who dreamt of venturing into businesses.

 He noted that those who persisted against the odds bore costs to damaged goods or vehicles.

For his part, Aggre Holdings Operational manager Mr Sydney Vaughan was upbeat that the road would be handed over to Department of Roads in the stipulated time against all odds.

Although having been awarded the tender in June last year and disturbed by rains and COVID-19, Mr Vaughan was committal that his company would deliver the access road June this year.“We are forced to knock off at 6pm when we could be going on up to 8pm,” said Mr Vaughan about the government imposed curfew that is expected to end on January 31.

However, Mr Vaughan committed to adherence to COVID-19 protocols before warning that Aggre Holdings might encounter challenges as time went on.

“But everything is as good as it looks,” he said and revealed that his company had engaged local sub-contractors whose speed would determine how quick the project would be completed.With over 60 employees hard at work, the operational manager believed the project might require 20 more labourers as the stretch grows. ends