19 Jun 2022

 Government’s plans for roads rehabilitation and infrastructural development in the two major areas of Tlokweng and Mogoditshane are in full swing, with the latter also announcing tender for detailed design, pre-contract, construction supervision and post-contract works. 

Tlokweng announced its tender award for similar works last week. 

Kweneng District Council (KDC) Chairman Mr Motlhophi Leo, under whose jurisdiction Mogoditshane falls, announced at a recent council meeting that the P27 million plus tender was awarded to a local company, Pula/Lesedi Consulting Engineers Joint Venture. 

Meanwhile KDC chief civil and mechanical engineering officer, Mr Gaborone Phiri said in an interview the 25-kilometre works, which entailed tarred roads, associated storm-water drainage systems and street lighting, were expected to take 42 months. 

He said the project’s design stage would take approximately seven months, with actual works taking 30 months. 

The remaining 12 months would be for the defect and liability process. 

He explained Mogoditshane was considered for the project to decongest the A12 highway, commonly known as Gaborone-Molepolole road. Mr Phiri said the roads would be spread across the village. 

“When considering this project, we were mindful of the aspect of revamping the economy, especially Mogoditshane industrial site. We wanted to upgrade those roads so that industries can be energised,” he said. 

He said KDC was not doing the project in isolation, as other government institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders were involved. 

So far, they had consulted both the tribal and political leadership as well as the land board, and would be consulting the community. 

Mr Phiri said most of the new roads would be constructed in built-up areas, therefore, there was need to consult residents at completion of the design process as some land would need to be expropriated. 

He added that once the design was complete, council would within seven-months both approve it and engage a contractor for phase two of the project. 

All this would happen next year, he said. He added some of the earmarked roads were Nkoyaphiri industrial, Mogoditshane Sefalana, including Lesirane clinic loop and Tsolamosese, as well as parts of Ledumadumane. 

For his part, Mogoditshane sub-council deputy chairperson Mr Bakang Matlho was delighted that finally, the project was about to start. 

He said Mogoditshane experienced rapid growth over the last decade, and internal roads needed to be upgraded, especially in view of the fact plans were afoot to turn the village into a township. 

“The project will also change the landscape and look of the village,” he said. 

Mr Matlho added that once completed the project would help to attract investors to Mogoditshane. The developments are catered for under the government’s Economic Reforms and Transformation Programme ENDS