24 May 2021

 Minister of Transport and Communication Mr Thulagano Segokgo has described as impressive the workmanship and pace of the Mabeleapodi/Tshimoyapula- Serule road.

Speaking in an interview after his May 23 tour of the road, he expressed happiness at the progress saying at 98 per cent, it would hopefully be completed on schedule.  

Construction of the 62 km road, undertaken by Unik Construction Engineering, started in October 2018 with completion scheduled for end of next month. 

Mr Segokgo, who said the tour was prompted by the positive reports he had received,  applauded the contractor for ensuring that local people and companies became part of project execution.

Constructed under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), the road would be of immense benefit to Batswana because it would not only ease traffic along A1 Road but also link Mabeleapodi and Tshimoyapula to Serule, he said.

The minister appealed to thieves of road construction materials to desist from the habit and to road users not to litter.

Littering reflected badly on the community and could cause accidents, he said. 

Meanwhile, Mr Kabelo Motswagole, managing director of Herbco Technical Services (PTY) Ltd which supervised the project, said the main road was complete and open to traffic.

Construction of the Tshimoyapula kgotla access road was 92 per cent complete while its Serule equivalent was at 94 per cent, he said.

Mr Motswagole said road traffic signs and markings as well as studs were at 51 per cent and 81 per cent respectively.

He informed the minister that the only pending issues were the ongoing land compensations, complaints due to alleged property damage and Botswana Power Corporation cable relocations.

Mr Motswagole applauded Unik Construction Engineering for its commitment to the project.

Expressing the hope that the road would not disappoint  users, he said his company ensured that the project was closely monitored and that quality was not compromised.

On challenges, he mentioned shortages of water and surfacing stones, excessive quantities of unsuitable material and fill quantities as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He said teamwork spirit between his company and the contractor enabled them to overcome the challenges. 

Unik Construction Engineering construction manager Mr Mabuo Motsamai expressed happiness that the road had been completed in spite of the many challenges experienced.

He revealed that  the company’s key staff were all Batswana while all labourers engaged in the project were sourced from Mabeleapodi and Tshimoyapula. Ends