22 Mar 2022

Upgrading of Gaborone/Boatle Road is part of the infrastructure development that government has prioritised to enhance transport system efficiency.

 Officially opening the dual carriageway in Boatle yesterday, Minister of Transport and Communications Mr Thulagano Segokgo Minister Segokgo said the upgrading had not only eased traffic congestion but reduced delays and travel times in Greater Gaborone.

 “Most importantly it has enhanced mobility and boosted the productivity of sectors of the economy, in many ways. It will also improve the standard of living of the community living along the road by improving easy access to local and international markets,” he said. 

Minister Segokgo said the interchange at Kgale was specifically intended for the envisaged central business district in the area, where smooth flow of traffic was already experienced. 

  He stressed the importance of roads in facilitating trade and economic activities internally and between Botswana and other countries. 

“Construction of major roads is fundamental in economic diversification and enhancing economic opportunities for investment, hence government’s decision to prioritise them despite the scarcity of public funds,” said  the minister. He said government‘s intention was to expand the road infrastructure network to facilitate ease of doing business, improve the country’s business capacity and global competitiveness and most importantly enhance mobility and access to markets. 

Minister Segokgo said the Gaborone/Boatle Road was built through the Economic Stimulus Programme and that during the construction phase, over 300 people were employed, 70 per cent of them citizens. 

As part of the Citizen Economic Diversification Drive, 12 citizen companies were hired as sub-contractors at the value of P255 million or 20 per cent of the project’s total value. 

In his vote of thanks, MP for Ramotswa Mr Lefoko Moagi requested that the Boatle/Ramotswa Road be upgraded saying it was economically beneficial to residents especially since it also linked Botswana with South Africa. He also called for the Ramotswa Border Gate reopening.

 Earlier welcoming guests, Balete’s Kgosi Mosadi Seboko decried livestock roaming along the busy highway and called on farmers to look after their animals as they posed danger to motorists. 

She said the number of accidents along the road had been reduced significantly following the completion of the road.

Her observation was confirmed by Botswana Police Service director of traffic, Senior Assistant Commissioner Katlholo Mosimanegape. 

The contractor, CCC and CSCEC joint venture project manager, Mr Justice Mufanebadza said it could have been undertaken  between 2007 and 2009 when Gaborone/Lobatse Road was developed  into a dual carriageway. 

“Unfortunately, due to budgetary constraints, the project had to be postponed but Bothakga Burrow Botswana had completed the designs,” he said. 

It was eventually started some 10 years later with an estimated completion date of March 2019 which had to be extended due to challenges and changes in the scope of work. Originally, the St Joseph’s interchange was not part of the plan while the Boatle junction bus rank was also a later addition. BOPA