23 Mar 2022

Members of Parliament have requested government to upgrade roads infrastructure in their constituencies.

Legislators made the request when debating the 2022/2023 financial year budget proposal for the Ministry of Transport and Communications recently.

Ghanzi South MP, Mr Motsamai Motsamai asked for conditions of various roads in his constituency to be improved because they were ‘deplorable’.

Mr Motsamai said the Ghanzi-Qade, East Hanahai-West Hanahai, Ncojane-Ukhwi, Kalkfontein-Metsimantsho and Chobokwane roads required urgent attention.

He also asked for the fencing of some portions of the Trans Kalahari Highway to reduce road accidents caused by livestock on the highway.

“The accidents have claimed many lives on this road, especially from 44 Junction to Mamuno,” he said.

Mr Motsamai also called for implementation of the envisaged Trans Kalahari railway project.

The legislator further implored government to name the Ncojane-Charleshill road in honour of Mr Hendry Jankie, former Ghanzi MP.

For his part, Shashe West MP, Mr Fidelis Molao said the construction of Mmandunyane-Mathangwane road was long overdue.

“This road has been in the pipeline for many years.

Delay in its construction is slowing developments.

It is also harming the public transport industry between Mathangwane, Chadibe, Borolong, Natale, Makobo, Shashe/Mooke and Mmandunyane,” Mr Molao said.

Mr Molao further complained about poor connectivity of Internet and mobile phone networks in villages in his constituency, and also asked for construction of a post office in Sebina.

Thamaga/Kumakwane MP, Mr Palelo Motaosane thanked the ministry for the proposed maintenance of Molepolole/Thamaga road.

Mr Motaosane, however, complained about the bad state of Thamaga/Kubung Road.

“I am disappointed that the road was not funded under the 2022/2023 budget, even though the minister promised that it would be allocated funds,” he said.

He asked for the gravelling of Thamaga-Lesilakgokong, Gakgatla-Gamodubu and Molepolole-Moshaweng roads because they were muddy.

He also asked for construction of a second post office in Thamaga since the village had grown.

Ngami MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama asked for improvement to the mobile network and Internet connectivity in the North West District.

Mr Hikuama also requested for construction of a post office at Nokaneng.

He complained about the state of Nata-Maun and Sehithwa-Mohembo roads, saying they required maintenance.

“We also need re-gravelling of roads around the Ngami constituency because they are in a bad state.

Roads like the Nokaneng-Qangwa, which is neglected, the Habu and the Tsau-Makakung-Kareng road also require attention.

We have many roads that require some upgrading,” he said.

Responding to concerns raised by MPs, Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Thulagano Segokgo admitted that many roads around the country were not in a good condition.

Mr Segokgo assured legislators that the ministry was committed to improving the state of road infrastructure and network connectivity around the country.

Meanwhile, Parliament approved the ministry’s budget proposal, comprising P1 815 365 850 for recurrent expenditure and P1 872 472 000 for development expenditure. ENDS