01 Feb 2022

Some councillors have implored government to consider tarring the road that connects Nokaneng and Xaixai.

In a special Okavango sub-district council meeting recently, Qangwa-Xaixai councillor, Mr Lelejwang Sokwe said a tarred road would ease movement between Nokaneng and Xaixai and in turn aid economic growth in Qangwa and Xaixai villages.

Mr Sokwe decried the bad state of the gravel road, particularly during the rainy season and thus called for immediate action on it given that it needed regular maintenance which he said was costly.

On the other hand, some councillors also decried the bad state of the 37km-Nokaneng-Gumare road, a situation they said was worse, especially after the recent downpours.

Meanwhile, Okavango sub-district council chairperson, Mr Mpoke Karapo acknowledged the state of the road, which he also concurred needed immediate attention.

Nevertheless, Mr Karapo indicated that in November 2019, an Asphalt Overlay project for the road was awarded to Evergreen Contractors at the sum of about P53.5 million.

He said the 12-month project commenced in November 2019 and was expected to be completed in October 2020.

“The overall project progress as at January 2021 stood at 49 per cent against 100 per cent, while the contractor had been out of site since November 2020,” he regretted, adding that the roads department was working on addressing the issue. ENDS