09 Nov 2021

Significant investment in strategic infrastructure will assist government in the transition to a knowledge-based economy, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said.

President Masisi said this in a State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) on Monday

He said that as promised two years ago, government had committed significant financial resources to major infrastructural development including, among others, reducing water supply deficit as well as improve the quality of transport, power generation and ICT infrastructure throughout the country.

To that effect, he said government had, since 2019, undertaken several major projects which included completion of the Kazungula Bridge which was a significant achievement.

He said the Mohembo Bridge on the Okavango River was at 98 per cent completion stage and would be opened to traffic by the end of the year.

“These two mega projects will facilitate trade and movement of people, as well as improve Botswana’s competitiveness and ease of access to regional export markets,” President Masisi said.

Again, the recently commissioned Masama-Mmamashia 100km transmission pipeline and associated works from Masama Wellfields to Mmamashia water treatment plant was one great achievement by government to reduce water shortage in the Southern part of the country.

He added that the Lobatse master plan, which he also launched recently, was one of the greatest achievements as well as the groundbreaking ceremony of the Molepolole-Gamononyane water project last week.

On other issues, President Masisi said the three infrastructure projects aimed at improving traffic flow in the Greater Gaborone were also underway and expected to be completed by July 2022.

That, he added, would improve mobility and decongest of roads.“The projects entail modernisation of the Greater Gaborone traffic signalling system and the provision of the centralised traffic control, construction of three interchanges along KT Motsete Drive (Western Bypass) and selected layout intersection improvements.

Further, he indicated that Mogoditshane-Gabane-Mankgodi road project was however at procurement stage. ENDS