20 Apr 2021

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has identified the need to increase rail capacity and establish alternative routes to export and import products, says Minister Thulagano Segokgo.

  Speaking during a media briefing yesterday, he said Mosetse-Kazungula, Mmamabula-Lephalale and Trans-Kalahari were the alternative routes identified in an effort to facilitate movement of goods during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

 Mr Segokgo said although  grappling with the impact of COVID-19, the ministry was expected to transform, reprioritise and formulate strategies for reviving the economy post pandemic.

He pointed out that the ministry's mandate, boosting the economy through the provision of road and telecommunications infrastructure, required great responsibility and resources.

Among the major highlights of the ministry’s response to the pandemic, Minister Segokgo mentioned completion of Kazungula Bridge which would be commissioned next month.

He said the commissioning of the bridge would be a major milestone especially with the rapidly escalating numbers of COVID-19 positive cases and deaths.

The bridge, he said, was anticipated to minimize congestion bought about by the use of pontoons.

Once operational, it would  ease trade across the region and significantly reduce transit time for freight and passengers as well as improve border management operations, he said.

Concerning tourism, Mr Segokgo said because of Maun’s importance to the sector, the Maun International Airport had been enhanced with new features which would ease congestion in the terminal building and accord passengers comfort.

He said improved features included increased number of check-in counters, enlarged departure halls and separation of domestic and international areas for security screening.

With regard to cyber security, he said the pandemic had increased the rate of adoption of digital communication platforms, hence the need to intensify cyber security awareness and responsible use of ICTs.

 

He said the ministry, through collaborative partners, had embarked on the eBotho Digital Literacy campaign aimed at providing Batswana with awareness and self-monitored cyber hygiene grounded on the principle of Botho. ENDS